 Fewer doctors are opting to work in child protection |
There are too few doctors choosing to go into child protection work, warn the profession's leaders. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health found recruitment to this field is at a virtual standstill.
Between 2001 and 2003 there was only a 0.3% rise in the total number of community paediatricians, who do much of the child protection work.
Child protection experts are worried that this could put many children's lives in danger.
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children fears the recent series of high profile court cases where child protection doctors have come under fire could hamper recruitment further.
An example is Sir Roy Meadow, who is to face a professional conduct committee over allegations against him regarding the evidence he gave in the trials of Angela Cannings and Sally Clark, mothers convicted but later cleared of murdering their babies.
The figures
The number of paediatricians of all grades increased rapidly between 2001 and 2003, up 12.1% from 3,781 in September 2001 to 4,239 in September 2003.
The number of consultant paediatricians in the NHS rose even faster, up 15.2% in the same time period.
But there was little change in the total number of paediatricians working in the community.
Between 2001 and 2003, there were only an extra five paediatricians working predominantly or exclusively in the community - up from 1,544 to 1,549 - a rise of just 0.3% in two years.
There were also fewer academic paediatricians who teach medical students and do research into new treatments - a 13% drop between 1999 and 2003.
Professor Sir Alan Craft, President of the College, said: "More paediatricians is obviously excellent news.
"Worryingly, however, there is a virtual standstill in the number of paediatricians working in the community - up only 0.3% over two years.
"Community paediatrics is a critically important area of work.
"It is these paediatricians who play such a central role in child protection work."
He added: "The drop in the number of academic paediatricians must be reversed. Fewer of them means that it is more difficult to train the doctors we will need in the future."
Natalie Cronin, head of policy at the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, said: "Paediatricians are essential to the child protection process and play a vital role in identifying and protecting abused children.
"It is of great concern that fewer paediatricians are opting to work in the crucial area of child protection.
"It is important that paediatricians receive the support they need in this difficult work and do not fear they will be treated as scapegoats."
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It is important that paediatricians receive the support they need in this difficult work and do not fear they will be treated as scapegoats
