Doctors criticise lack of action to improve child health

The RCPCH's State of Child Health: One Year On report has tracked progress by governments in England, Wales and Scotland to improve children's health over the last 12 months.

It says that the UK government is lagging behind the devolved administrations of Wales and Scotland, as well as many other European countries, in terms of child health. It said the main reason is due to public health funding cuts and a lack of strategic vision across Whitehall to improve children's health.

The report criticises ministers for a not putting in place an overarching child health strategy for England as well as for failing to ban junk food advertising aimed at children. Action on these issues was among recommendations the RCPCH made last year.

The RCPCH is also concerned that there is still no way of measuring the prevalence of breastfeeding in England and that child health research had not seen any increased investment this year.  

The report identified "deepening public health cuts" as the greatest area of concern, stating that the situation is disproportionately affecting children's services. It notes that public health spending for 2017/18 is around five per cent down on the 2013/14 figure.

"The science exists for all to see; invest in the health of children and make a huge difference to their health in later life and hence to their economic productivity," RCPCH president professor Neena Modi said.

"For example, four fifths of obese children will remain obese as adults and this will result in them losing between 10 and 20 years of healthy life.

"That's a very frightening statistic and something that government must get to grips with. It's no wonder the NHS is burgeoning under the weight of ill health. This is time for a long vision for the sake of the nation's wellbeing and prosperity yet the focus remains short-term and ineffective."

The RCPCH does, however, note that some improvements have been made in England, including the launch of the digital child health strategy, implementation of a "sugar tax" levy on the soft drinks industry and publication of a tobacco control plan.

However, it adds that far greater progress is being made in Scotland and Wales. The report praises the Scottish government for passing the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act, which created defined poverty reduction targets and for developing a mental health strategy that is looking to improve support for older children as they transfer to adult services.

Meanwhile, a commitment to boost the number of health visitors in Scotland by 500 by the end of 2018 is also praised.

In addition, the report welcomes the Scottish government's commitment to offering access to specialist breastfeeding advice and support.

Among Welsh government initiatives praised is a ban on smoking in school and NHS grounds and the opening of a child health research facility in Cardiff.

"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," said Russel Viner, the RCPCH's health promotion officer. 

"While policies such as the soft drinks industry levy and new tobacco control plan are to be applauded, the approach is piecemeal."

A Department of Health and Social Care spokeswoman said: "There is always more to do, but we have world-leading plans in place to safeguard child health by combatting obesity, improving mental health and vaccinating against some of the world's deadliest diseases.

"In the past year, both teen pregnancy and child mortality have fallen to all-time lows, and our soft drinks levy is already funding additional breakfast clubs and sports."