Commissioner backs RCPCH report

The Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland is supporting a new report from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) Scotland that calls for urgent action to improve community health services for children and young people. The report, Collaborative Healthcare in Scotland, reveals deep concerns about unequal access to care, long waiting times, a stretched workforce, and a lack of consistent data across the country.

Drawing on the voices of children, families, and paediatricians, the report outlines strong recommendations for change, including investment in early intervention, action on neurodevelopmental support, and a nationwide approach to data and staffing.

Nicola Killean, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, said: “Children have the right to the best possible physical and mental health, and that means getting the support they need, when they need it. 

“This powerful report highlights issues that children regularly raise with us and it’s vital that their voices are not only listened to but are acted upon.  Much more needs to be done to address the postcode lottery of community-based healthcare and regional disparities to ensure that there is equal access to the right support and professionals at the right time. There is a real need for more investment in child community health including in early intervention, and resources to tackle the unmet need in relation to neurodevelopmental services. 

“There are strong and important recommendations in this report – decision-makers must take urgent action.”