A series of recommendations to address burnout and understaffing in paediatrics and support child health outcomes has been shared by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH).
Focusing on training and recruitment, retention and wellbeing, collaborative care, and workforce planning, the recommendations build on the RCPCH’s blueprint for child health services published in September 2024.
This ‘landmark’ policy report highlighted how the lack of investment in children’s health was having severe consequences and now, a year on, the RCPCH says it is ‘reiterating what is now an urgent call for Government action to address the pressure that paediatricians are facing, so that they can effectively tackle worsening health outcomes and growing inequalities.’
Insufficient staffing to meet child health demand
The recommendations are part of a policy briefing report, which highlights the ‘uphill battle’ paediatricians are facing against a backdrop of ‘growing complexity in paediatric care’ and without adequate support from the Government.
A snapshot survey in May of 400 UK paediatricians found that 82% felt there was insufficient staffing to meet the needs of children and young people.
This understaffing has led to ‘significant strain’ and ‘heightened levels of stress’, with three quarters (75%) of respondents saying they felt pressure to work overtime in the last year – and 11% stating this was always the case.
Some 71% had gone to work despite not feeling mentally or physically well enough, with over half (55%) saying this had happened on more than one occasion in the last 12 months.
A third of respondents (63%) said they had experienced burnout, with 44% experiencing it in the last year.
Commenting on the survey results and their context, RCPCH president, Professor Steve Turner, said: ‘For too long, child health has not been a priority across the UK healthcare systems. The lack of focus in policy at local and national level has led to our children and young people now having some of the worst health outcomes in Europe. This unacceptable reality demands an urgent change.
‘As a paediatrician, I understand the importance of timely, high-quality care for children and young people. Insufficient numbers of healthcare staff, many of whom are overworked, unappreciated and burnt-out, is a huge concern to me. The pressures paediatricians are working under poses serious risks to patient care, delays treatments and creates stress for children, their families and the whole NHS staff.’
Addressing paediatric workforce pressures
In 2023, the RCPCH warned that the number of children waiting for consultant-led care had reached an all-time high and data from 2024 showed that while paediatric waiting lists had increased by 67% since 2020, there had only been a 15% increase in consultant numbers during the same time period.
In the last two years the number of children waiting over 52 weeks for treatment rose by 60% for elective services and 94% for community health services, the RCPCH added.
Its latest recommendations therefore include committing to expanding paediatric training and consultant posts in line with changes in working, service provision and demand.
Implementing structures that allow clinicians to treat patients in a safe and sustainable way is also advised, particularly when it comes to improving working conditions, maintaining sustainable rota practices and investing in staff mental health and wellbeing.
Among other recommendations is the urgent need to support the transition of care across the primary-secondary care interface and ensuring competence, coordination and investment at all stages, with Connecting Care for Children shared as an example of best practice.
Professor Turner added: ‘Without real change, the child health workforce will continue to struggle to meet mounting demands. The UK Government must act now. With NHS reform and the new 10-Year Health Plan, we have a chance to strengthen the child health workforce and ensure better care for children. Investment in children today will benefit the UKs health and economy tomorrow.’
