¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥

Health Policy team

We aim to influence public policy at all levels to improve health outcomes for all infants, children and young people in the UK. We work with members and officers to develop evidence based policy and healthcare standards with clear asks and actions to influence key decision makers.

Our priorities:

  • Influence key research decision makers so that child health research, including the areas of health, wellbeing services and mortality, is given the same parity as adult health research.
  • Improve health outcomes through advocacy, empower children to be in control of their own health and wellbeing and putting children and their families at the heart of what happens
  • Reduce the number of children who become ill  or whose illness progresses unnecessarily due avoidable factors.
  • Shape policy and practice in the NHS so that it provides high quality and sustainable healthcare services for all children regardless of the setting in which they receive it and to ensure long lasting improvements to services and systems to improve health outcomes for children.
  • Work in partnership with other organisations to implement early intervention strategies and reduce health inequalities for children.

Contact us on health.policy@rcpch.ac.uk

Recent content

Resource

Facing the Future - standards for children and young people in emergency care settings

These standards outline how to deliver safe, high quality and integrated care for children and young people in Paediatric Emergency Departments in the UK. The 5th edition of the standards was published in October 2025. You can download the full standards document, the executive summary and the repor...
Resource

Quality standards for specialist paediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition

These standards aim to reduce variation in care, ensuring equitable services, and to improve the health outcomes and quality of life for all infants, children and young people with gastroenterology, liver or intestinal disorders in the UK. You can read our summary and download the full standards bel...
Resource

Facing the Future audit on standards in acute paediatrics and care outside hospital (2017)

Results highlighted gaps within paediatric rotas, with not enough consultants present within the hospital during times of self-identified peak activity and poor links between primary care and the hospital child health service.  You can download our report at the bottom of this page.