Welcome
Introduction
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health aims to advance the art and science of paediatrics. It improves standards of medical care to children, and educates and examines doctors in paediatrics. Additionally, the College has a function in providing information to the public on the health care of children.
It was founded as the British Paediatric Association in 1928 and became a fully-fledged medical royal college in 1996.
RCPCH Responsibilities
The College has a direct responsibility for postgraduate medical education, continuing medical education and setting standards of medical practice with regard to paediatrics and child health.
The College also undertakes work or provides advice and guidance in a number of related areas. These include:
- Medical staffing/workforce: including trainee and consultant numbers
- Changes in configuration of paediatric/child health services
- Clinical and health service research
- Advice to government, NHSE, health authorities, and professional and patient organisations on child heath issues
- Advice for the public on specific child health issues
- Advocacy for children and their carers
- International child health
Influence in these areas is often exerted through representation on major government and national committees.
Research
The research division has a broad scope of activity, which includes externally funded health service research in the field of children's health; surveillance of rare diseases and disorders through the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit (BPSU); promoting good quality paediatric research by providing advice on research methodology, particularly in the area of clinical trials.
International
The College has a limited but important programme of international work, overseen by its International Board and the College's international Officer (the David Baum Fellow). The College currently has projects in Iraq, Palestine, Pakistan, India, East Africa and South America. The International Paediatric Training Scheme allows outstanding paediatricians from overseas to come to the UK to train in posts approved by the College. There are currently about 200 doctors in the scheme.
Governance
The College has a formal constitution (the Charter), which sets out its powers and the ways in which it may operate. These are supplemented with Byelaws and detailed Regulations covering specific areas of work. Changes to the Charter and Bye-Laws must have the approval of the Privy Council and Charity Commissioners, as well as the College's own Annual General Meeting. Changes to Regulations must be approved by Council and by the AGM.
Council is the governing body of the College and comprises the elected regional representatives and honorary officers, and a limited number of ex-officio and lay members (who together serve as the Trustees of the College) and observers. The day-to-day running of the College is delegated to the College Secretary and the Executive Committee (consisting of elected senior officers and the permanent heads of the various College departments).
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