Child health at risk from shortages in the paediatric workforce
Workforce shortages in paediatrics mean that children are being denied access to some services, according to the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
Data from the workforce census reveals that in 2015, staff shortages led to periods of closure to new admissions by 31% of paediatric inpatient units, and 41% of neonatal units across the UK. It also highlights vacancies at both consultant and trainee levels, the low number of academic consultants and that GPs and practice nurses have limited training in child health.
