Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

Last updated
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
Established1928
President Steve Turner
Address
5–11 Theobald's Road
,
Members22,000 (2024)
Website www.rcpch.ac.uk

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, often referred to as the RCPCH, is the professional body for paediatricians (doctors specialising in child health) in the United Kingdom. It is responsible for the postgraduate training of paediatricians and conducts the Membership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (MRCPCH) exams. It also awards the Diploma in Child Health (DCH), which is taken by many doctors who plan a career in general practice. Members of the college use the postnominal initials 'MRCPCH' while Fellows use 'FRCPCH'.

Contents

History

The United Kingdom's first national group of paediatricians was established in 1928 as the British Paediatric Association or BPA. Its first president was George Frederic Still. The BPA's initial aims were the advancement of the study of paediatrics and the promotion of friendship amongst paediatricians. Most paediatricians also belonged to the Royal College of Physicians and took the examination MRCP(Paeds). The BPA was granted royal college status in August 1996. The MRCP(Paeds) exam was replaced by the MRCPCH in 1999.

The College's official journal, the Archives of Disease in Childhood, was founded in 1926.[ citation needed ]

The RCPCH's first home was in Hallam Street, London. On 21 March 2008 the College moved to new premises at 5-11 Theobalds Road, London, where it is still based.[ citation needed ]

Aims of the College

The RCPCH's stated aim is to 'transform child health through knowledge, innovation and expertise'. [1] In practice it has a number of roles:

The college works closely with other bodies, including the Department of Health (United Kingdom), the Local Education and Training Boards, the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board, the General Medical Council, the National Clinical Assessment Service (NCAS), the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), children's charities and the other medical royal colleges.[ citation needed ]

Fellowship

Senior doctors who have completed paediatric training can apply for Fellowship of the RCPCH, after which they can use the letters FRCPCH.

Coat of arms

The coat of arms of the college commemorate June Lloyd, first female President of the British Paediatric Association and Thomas Phaire, whose Boke of Chyldren from 1545 was the first book on paediatrics in English. The crest is a baby, taken from the arms of the Foundling Hospital in Coram's Fields.

List of presidents of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

The President is the elected head of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

British Paediatric Association

Start dateEnd datePresidentNotes
1926 George Frederic Still first president of the BPA
1935Albert Ernest Naish
James Holmes Hutchison
1965 Richard Ellis
19681969 Alfred White Franklin
19731976 Donald Court
Otto Herbert Wolff
19881991 June Lloyd first female president of the BPA
19911994 David Hull
19941996 Roy Meadow Disgraced by his misuse of statistics

Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

Start dateEnd datePresidentNotes
19961997 Roy Meadow first president of the RCPCH
19971999 David Baum  [ Wikidata ]died in office
19992003 David Hall
20032006 Alan Craft supported Roy Meadow<ref>
20062009 Patricia Hamilton  [ Wikidata ]first female president of the RCPCH
20092012 Terence Stephenson
20122015 Hilary Cass
20152018 Neena Modi
20182021 Russell Viner
20212024 Camilla Kingdon
20242027 Steve Turner -

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References

RCPCH annual conference

Professor Steve Turner elected as new RCPCH President 2024

Become an RCPCH member

Courses and events at RCPCH

51°31′15″N0°06′57″W / 51.52071°N 0.11583°W / 51.52071; -0.11583