This site is intended for UK healthcare professionals
Medscape UK Univadis Logo
Medscape UK Univadis Logo
News

RCPCH criticises fragmented approach to child health

Child health is suffering at the hands of a disjointed approach from central Government, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has warned. Publishing its ‘State of Child Health: One year on’ scorecards yesterday, the college called for a cross-party committee to be established to develop a child health strategy.

The scorecards for England, Scotland and Wales describe progress against the series of recommendations made a year ago in the RCPCH’s landmark State of Child Health report.

The England scorecard acknowledges progress in some areas, but highlights the lack of progress in several fundamental areas, including the absence of an overarching child health strategy and a ban on junk food advertising, as well as insufficient investment in child health research. The scorecards reveal that the Scottish and Welsh Governments are making greater strides in enacting policies to improve child health.

Professor Russell Viner, RCPCH Officer for Health Promotion, said: “Child health isn’t being given the political attention it deserves in Westminster, which is disappointing given the real commitments from the Scottish and Welsh Governments. While policies such as the soft drinks industry levy and new tobacco control plan are to be applauded, the approach is piecemeal.

“Getting it right in childhood means setting up (the) future generation for a lifetime of better health. Investing in children is an investment in the entire population,” Prof Viner said.

The RCPCH is now calling on each national government to commit to a ‘child health in all policies’ approach, which would mean that all new legislation would be assessed for its impact on child health. The college also wants to see a cross-party committee established to develop a child health strategy.


References


YOU MAY ALSO LIKE