Doctor Shortage Puts Children's Health "At Risk"
A new report by The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has described the Scottish paediatric workforce as on the verge of a crisis, putting children's health 'At Risk'.
Scotland are lagging behind England in the recruitment of Paediatric consultants and would need a 25% increase to meet required standards.
Kids doctor shortfall puts NHS on brink of crisis
A Scottish government spokesperson said Brexit has caused uncertainty and the knock-on effect is difficulty in recruitment for the NHS.
"Work is under way to develop a comprehensive plan to help address some of the recruitment and retention challenges faced by our health and care sector.
"We have already published workforce plans covering the NHS, Primary Care and Social Care, and an integrated health and social care workforce plan will be published shortly.
Prof Steve Turner, officer for Scotland at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said that tackling the shortage of paediatric doctors needs to be a "priority".
"Failing to take the necessary steps now will be to the detriment of our children both today and in the future."
This news hits off the back of a recent announcement that 25% of Primary one school kids in Scotland are starting school obese or overweight.
Obesity related illness is costing the NHS over 6 billion every year, initiatives to reduce obesity in children would in turn ensure that long term obesity related illness causes less stress to the public sector service and should be prioritised as an investment in the next generation who are reportedly going to live 5 years less than our generation.
We recently wrote about the UK government tackling fast food companies with a watershed on junk food adverts and encouraging kids to eat healthy with the Vegetable Power campaign that offers free resources for schools to motivate kids to eat vegetables.
Schools wishing to tackle obesity at ground level can also sign up for the daily mile or consider trailing kids standing desks in their classrooms by visiting the following link.