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x“State of Child Health: One Year On” report highlights progress made in Scotland
Date: 31st January 2018
Category:
Disability, Basic Health and Welfare
The RCPCH has published a 'scorecard' to assess the progress that has been made in policy relating to child health since the College's 2017 State of Child Health report.
The scorecard, entitled 'State of Child Health Scotland: One Year On', highlights progress that has been made by Scottish Government on recommendations that were made by the RCPCH in its report last year. This includes recommendations on issues such as childhood obesity rates, breastfeeding rates, child poverty and child and adolescent mental health.
Policies that have been put in place by the Scottish Government which are praised in the scorecard for addressing key recommendations from RCPCH's report include:
- A commitment to expand the number of health visitors by an additional 500 by the end of 2018 through the full roll-out of the Family Nurse Partnership Programme
- A commitment to review statutory sex and relationships education in all schools
- A commitment to deliver a Child and Adolescent Health and Wellbeing Action Plan.
Dr Turner, RCPCH Officer for Scotland, said:
"It's heartening that the child health and wellbeing agenda is moving forward in Scotland. At the end of 2017 the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act was passed by the Scottish Parliament, providing a positive first step towards reducing child poverty.
"The Scottish Government has led the way nationally by setting a minimum unit price on alcohol, it has committed to deliver a child and adolescent health and well-being action plan in 2018, an obesity strategy and has committed to adopt a 'child health in all policies' approach. All of these developments indicate how serious Scottish Government is taking child health and they will help Scotland become a healthier country for children.
Considering only a year has passed since the launch of our State of Child Health report, it is encouraging that so many commitments to child health have been made. The key now is to make sure these commitments are delivered effectively."