Putting children first: Prioritising Wales’s future
RCPCH Wales 2026 Election Manifesto
Our calls for the next Welsh Government
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Empower the child health workforce: Attract, support and retain a workforce able to care for current and future generations.
Transform health services: Prioritise children’s health, happiness and wellbeing within the planning, funding and delivery of the NHS.
Read our manifesto
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Embrace data and digital innovation: Revolutionise child health through data transparency and digitalisation, investing in IT infrastructure and facilitating record sharing.
Deliver for all: Ensure every child has an opportunity for a healthy life by mitigating the wider determinants of health.
RCPCH Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Cymru
Leading the way in Children’s Health
RCPCH Wales 2026 Election Manifesto
Putting children first: Prioritising Wales’s future Why act now?
31% of children are living in relative income poverty
25% of children aged 4-5 are overweight or obese
32% of children aged 5-6 were affected by tooth decay
50,000+ open patient pathways for under 18s
1 in 6 children and young people have a
diagnosable mental health problem
What RCPCH members told us:
92% of members believe improved NHS IT systems would benefit the child health workforce
88% of members wanted the Welsh
Government to deliver a long-term child health workforce plan
77% said the Government should prioritise fair funding for child health
69% said reducing the impact of poverty would be the most beneficial measure to improving child health.
Data taken from RCPCH Wales manifesto 2024 © RCPCH. Incorporated by Royal Charter and registered as a Charity in England and Wales: 1057744 and in Scotland: SCO38299. Registered Office 5-11 Theobalds Road, London WC1X 8SH.
RCPCH Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Cymru
Leading the way in Children’s Health