CYP Now - Medical leaders warn of 'extreme shortage' of community child health doctors

Vulnerable children in need of support from community paediatric services are at risk of "falling through the gaps" unless a recruitment crisis is addressed, medical leaders have warned.

A workforce survey carried out by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) found that just 9.6 per cent of newly trained paediatricians take up a post in community child health - roles that involve assessing children for abuse or neglect, as well as treating conditions like ADHD, obesity, and mental health problems.

This compares with 65 per cent becoming general paediatricians and 27.7 per cent becoming specialist paediatricians.

A report, based on the survey of nearly 190 doctors one year after they had completed their specialist training, revealed that in a single mental health trust in England referrals increased from an expected 6,545 to 11,500.

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