Latest news with #RCPCH
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
UK child poverty at ‘unbearable level', warns paediatrician
Child poverty is at 'an unbearable level' in the UK, according to a paediatrician who spoke out on the one-year anniversary of the launch of a taskforce set up to tackle the problem. A snapshot survey of medical staff working on the front line suggested the number of child patients they see with poverty-related ill health has risen in the past two years, and the impact of such poverty has increased in severity, with issues including overcrowded or damp housing playing a part. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer pledged to 'leave no stone unturned to give every child the very best start at life' when the ministerial taskforce was announced on July 17 last year to start work on a child poverty strategy. The strategy had been due to be published in spring, but was subsequently delayed until autumn to align with the Chancellor's budget. The Labour Government has faced sustained pressure to scrap the two-child benefit limit – which restricts child tax credit and universal credit (UC) to the first two children in most households. Organisations working in the sector argue that 109 children across the UK are pulled into poverty by the policy every day and that an estimated 350,000 children would be lifted out of poverty immediately if it was scrapped. A new snapshot survey of members of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) across the UK found just over three-quarters of those polled said the number of patients with poverty-related ill health has increased in the past two years, and the impact of poverty on the health of children is becoming more severe. The survey, made up of 371 responses from paediatricians in April and June this year, found almost all (99%) said said poverty was contributing to ill health among the children they treat, while a similar proportion (96%) said poor housing conditions including overcrowding and damp are affecting the health of the children they treat. A majority of those working with patients in hospital said they had struggled to discharge a child because of poverty-related reasons in the past six months. As well as the issue of substandard housing conditions, paediatricians highlighted problems such as strained finances resulting in families accessing nutritious food, and barriers for some families around getting to healthcare appointments because of the associated costs of travel, parking, childcare and potential loss in earnings in taking time out of work. RCPCH officer for health improvement Dr Helen Stewart said: 'Child poverty in the UK is at an unbearable level, and as a paediatrician, I am deeply concerned by the condition of children arriving at frontline health services. 'The responses to the recent survey are heartbreakingly familiar, poverty is not only worsening children's health – it's pushing the child healthcare workforce to their limits. This is a crisis that demands decisive action from Government.' She described the upcoming child poverty strategy as a 'vital opportunity for the Government to make a meaningful and lasting impact', and urged ministers to 'prioritise the welfare of our children and safeguard our future society'. Child Poverty Action Group chief executive Alison Garnham said: 'Poverty is exacting an appalling toll on the nation's children. 'Blue lights are flashing at Government, and without urgent action the health of the next generation will be compromised. 'Children deserve better and Government's child poverty strategy must invest in their futures, starting by scrapping the two-child limit.' The latest figures showed there were 4.45 million children estimated to be in UK households in relative low income, after housing costs, in the year to March 2024 – the highest number since comparable records for the UK began in 2002/03. A Government spokesperson said: 'Every child – no matter their background – deserves the best start in life. 'That's why we are rolling out family hubs to provide health, education and wellbeing support, investing £500 million in children's development and taking preventative action as part of our 10 Year Health Plan. 'As part of our plan for change our child poverty taskforce will publish an ambitious strategy to tackle the structural and root causes of child poverty, and we are already expanding free school meals, introducing a fair repayment rate on universal credit deductions, and ensuring the poorest children don't go hungry in the holidays through a new £1 billion support package.'
The Independent
16-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
UK child poverty at ‘unbearable level', warns paediatrician
Child poverty is at 'an unbearable level' in the UK, according to a paediatrician who spoke out on the one-year anniversary of the launch of a taskforce set up to tackle the problem. A snapshot survey of medical staff working on the front line suggested the number of child patients they see with poverty-related ill health has risen in the past two years, and the impact of such poverty has increased in severity, with issues including overcrowded or damp housing playing a part. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer pledged to 'leave no stone unturned to give every child the very best start at life' when the ministerial taskforce was announced on July 17 last year to start work on a child poverty strategy. The strategy had been due to be published in spring, but was subsequently delayed until autumn to align with the Chancellor's budget. The Labour Government has faced sustained pressure to scrap the two-child benefit limit – which restricts child tax credit and universal credit (UC) to the first two children in most households. Organisations working in the sector argue that 109 children across the UK are pulled into poverty by the policy every day and that an estimated 350,000 children would be lifted out of poverty immediately if it was scrapped. A new snapshot survey of members of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) across the UK found just over three-quarters of those polled said the number of patients with poverty-related ill health has increased in the past two years, and the impact of poverty on the health of children is becoming more severe. The survey, made up of 371 responses from paediatricians in April and June this year, found almost all (99%) said said poverty was contributing to ill health among the children they treat, while a similar proportion (96%) said poor housing conditions including overcrowding and damp are affecting the health of the children they treat. A majority of those working with patients in hospital said they had struggled to discharge a child because of poverty-related reasons in the past six months. As well as the issue of substandard housing conditions, paediatricians highlighted problems such as strained finances resulting in families accessing nutritious food, and barriers for some families around getting to healthcare appointments because of the associated costs of travel, parking, childcare and potential loss in earnings in taking time out of work. RCPCH officer for health improvement Dr Helen Stewart said: 'Child poverty in the UK is at an unbearable level, and as a paediatrician, I am deeply concerned by the condition of children arriving at frontline health services. 'The responses to the recent survey are heartbreakingly familiar, poverty is not only worsening children's health – it's pushing the child healthcare workforce to their limits. This is a crisis that demands decisive action from Government.' She described the upcoming child poverty strategy as a 'vital opportunity for the Government to make a meaningful and lasting impact', and urged ministers to 'prioritise the welfare of our children and safeguard our future society'. Child Poverty Action Group chief executive Alison Garnham said: 'Poverty is exacting an appalling toll on the nation's children. 'Blue lights are flashing at Government, and without urgent action the health of the next generation will be compromised. ' Children deserve better and Government's child poverty strategy must invest in their futures, starting by scrapping the two-child limit.' The latest figures showed there were 4.45 million children estimated to be in UK households in relative low income, after housing costs, in the year to March 2024 – the highest number since comparable records for the UK began in 2002/03. A Government spokesperson said: 'Every child – no matter their background – deserves the best start in life. 'That's why we are rolling out family hubs to provide health, education and wellbeing support, investing £500 million in children's development and taking preventative action as part of our 10 Year Health Plan. 'As part of our plan for change our child poverty taskforce will publish an ambitious strategy to tackle the structural and root causes of child poverty, and we are already expanding free school meals, introducing a fair repayment rate on universal credit deductions, and ensuring the poorest children don't go hungry in the holidays through a new £1 billion support package.'
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Child dies as measles cases surge at Liverpool hospital
A child with measles has died at a Liverpool hospital. The individual was being treated at Alder Hey Children's Hospital after becoming ill with measles and other health problems. It comes as the NHS hospital said it is "concerned" about the increasing number of children and young people who are contracting the highly contagious virus. It said it has treated 17 cases for effects and complications of measles since June. "We are concerned about the increasing number of children and young people who are contracting measles. Measles is a highly contagious viral illness which can cause children to be seriously unwell, requiring hospital treatment, and in rare cases, death," the hospital said in a statement to Sky News. In a separate open letter to parents and carers in Merseyside earlier this month, Alder Hey, along with the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) and directors of Public Health for Liverpool, Sefton and Knowsley, warned the increase in in the region could be down to fewer people getting vaccinated. The letter read: "We are seeing more cases of measles in our children and young people because fewer people are having the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles and two other viruses called mumps and rubella. "Children in hospital, who are very poorly for another reason, are at higher risk of catching the virus." It comes after a Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) report released earlier this month determined that uptake of vaccines in the UK has stalled over the last decade and is, in many cases, declining. It said none of the routine childhood vaccinations have met the 95% coverage target since 2021, putting youngsters at risk of measles, meningitis and whooping cough. The MMR vaccine has been available through the NHS for years. Two doses gives lifelong protection against measles, mumps and rubella. According to the , Liverpool was one of the cities outside London with the lowest uptake of the MMR vaccination in 2023-2024. By the time children were five years old, 86.5% had been give one dose, decreasing to 73.4% for a second dose. 'Lack of access' behind declining vaccine uptake Helen Bedford, a professor of children's health at the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute, told Sky News a combination of things may be stopping parents from getting their children vaccinated. "It is mainly due to lack of access," Professor Bedford said. "People may not know when vaccines are due, how to make an appointment, then there's actually getting to the appointment. "For some parents who are suffering the impact of poverty, paying a bus fare to get your child to a GP surgery may be a step too far, even though they understand vaccination is very important." Professor Bedford added since the COVID pandemic, more parents are asking questions about vaccinations, which can lead to them searching the internet for answers. "We want parents to ask questions but unfortunately due to lack of personnel and health visitors, they can't always get answers or even an opportunity to have a discussion," she said. "That's when they turn to other sources of information, like social media or the internet, where we know there is a lot of disinformation." Professor Bedford said she was "very concerned" about the lack of vaccine uptake, but stressed the figures can be reversed. Read more from Sky News: Similar concerns in US In the US, measles cases are at their highest in more than three decades. Cases reached 1,288 on Wednesday this week, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, with 14 states battling active outbreaks. The largest outbreak started five months ago in communities in West Texas, where vaccination uptake is low. Since then, three people have died - including two children in Texas and an adult in New Mexico - with dozens more in hospital.
Telegraph
13-07-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Measles kills child amid declining vaccine rates
A child in Liverpool has died after contracting measles, it has been reported. The child, who has not been identified, was ill with measles and other health problems and receiving treatment at the Alder Hey Children's Hospital. They are believed to be the second child to die from an acute measles infection in Britain this decade. The hospital has warned that infections are rising, with doctors treating 17 patients with the virus since June. It comes after a Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) report released earlier this month determined that uptake of vaccines in the UK had stalled over the last decade and was, in many cases, declining. None of the routine childhood vaccinations have met the target for 95 per cent coverage since 2021, meaning young people are at risk of catching illnesses such as measles, meningitis and whooping cough. The report said while some families were hesitant to vaccinate due to fears about the jabs, many face issues that could be resolved with more support, including difficulties booking and attending appointments and a lack of continuity of NHS care, with many parents seeing a different GP or clinician at each visit. An Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust spokesman warned that it was concerned about the 'increasing number of children contracting measles'. They added: 'To respect patient confidentiality, we can't comment on individual cases. 'Measles is a highly contagious viral illness which can cause children to be seriously unwell, requiring hospital treatment, and in rare cases, death. 'The number of children being treated at Alder Hey for effects and complications of measles is increasing. We have treated 17 since June. 'We treat children with a range of conditions and illnesses in our hospital, including those with compromised immunity due to other health issues, making them more susceptible to infections, including measles. 'We can prevent people, including children, from contracting measles through vaccination. Please protect yourself and vulnerable children and young people by ensuring you are fully vaccinated.'
The Independent
13-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Child in Liverpool dies after contracting measles
A child in Liverpool has died after contracting measles, it has been reported. According to The Sunday Times newspaper, the child was ill with measles and other health problems and was receiving treatment at the Alder Hey Childre n's Hospital. A statement from the Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust said: 'To respect patient confidentiality, we can't comment on individual cases. 'We are concerned about the increasing number of children and young people who are contracting measles. Measles is a highly contagious viral illness which can cause children to be seriously unwell, requiring hospital treatment, and in rare cases, death. 'The number of children being treated at Alder Hey for effects and complications of measles is increasing (we have treated 17 since June). 'We treat children with a range of conditions and illnesses in our hospital, including those with compromised immunity due to other health issues, making them more susceptible to infections, including measles. 'We can prevent people, including children, from contracting measles through vaccination. Please protect yourself and vulnerable children and young people by ensuring you are fully vaccinated.' The child is believed to be the second to succumb to an acute measles infection in Britain this decade. It comes after a Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) report released earlier this month determined uptake of vaccines in the UK has stalled over the last decade and is, in many cases, declining. None of the routine childhood vaccinations have met the target for 95% coverage since 2021, meaning youngsters are at risk of catching illnesses such as measles, meningitis and whooping cough. The report said while some families are hesitant to vaccinate due to fears about the jabs, many face issues that could be resolved with more support, including difficulties booking and attending appointments and a lack of continuity of NHS care, with many parents seeing a different GP or clinician at each visit.
