18 February 2022

Paediatricians and specialist physicians from The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) have today launched a major campaign calling for children’s health and wellbeing to be a top priority for COVID-19 pandemic recovery.

This includes establishing a national taskforce to address the major setbacks that children and young people have faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The RACP’s Kids COVID Catch Up Campaign is calling on all parties to commit to appointing a National Chief Paediatrician to provide clinical leadership on child health and wellbeing issues across Australia.

RACP President and Respiratory Physician, Professor John Wilson says that children and young people were hit hard during the pandemic.

“We cannot wait any longer. There is a lot at stake if we don’t get this right and help our children recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has also amplified existing inequalities across our communities, impacting children from low socio-economic backgrounds, First Nations children, children from culturally diverse backgrounds, children with disability and children experiencing family violence.” Prof Wilson said.

RACP President-elect and Paediatrician, Dr Jacqueline Small says “Some of the long-term impacts on children’s learning and development are still yet to be realised. 

“Because of the pandemic’s more serious impact for adults – we’ve seen the health and wellbeing of children take a backseat. It’s time to put children first.

“Whether it’s the loss of learning from missed face-to-face teaching, the emotional impact of reduced social connection with their peers, or the lack of access to sport, recreational, and cultural activities, the COVID-19 pandemic has overturned many parts of children’s lives. 

“There is an urgent need for a national recovery plan to help the nation’s children catch up from the setbacks of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s important to get back to school – but it’s a whole other mission to identify the true emotional, physical and developmental impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had. We need to address these early.”

A 2021 study in Australia found that 60% of caregivers surveyed reported their child’s overall health and wellbeing had been impacted by the restrictions, home isolation, and disruption to routines. For families accessing behavioral therapy for their children, 71% felt access had been disrupted.  

The Kids COVID Catch Up campaign will bring together medical specialists, healthcare professionals, families, teachers and young people from across the country to call on all parties to commit to:

• Establish a National COVID-19 taskforce to lead a recovery plan
• Appoint and fund a National Chief Paediatrician
• Fund and Implement the National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy
• Increase Commonwealth funding for evidence-based school support, such as tutoring, for students with disability or learning difficulties
• Implement universal access to early education programs for all three-year olds
• Restrict marketing of unhealthy diets to children and young people through regulation

You can find out more about the campaign at: https://kidscatchup.org.au/

The Kids COVID Catch Up Campaign will be officially launched today at the RACP’s Child Health Summit, featuring:

• Anne Hollonds, National Children's Commissioner
• Dr Elkie Hull, Advanced Trainee in Paediatrics and proud Gamilaraay woman
• Chris O’Connell, 16-year-old, Melbourne high-school student and UNICEF Young Ambassador
• Professor Sharon Goldfeld, Director, Centre for Community Child Health, Royal Children’s Hospital and Population Health Theme Director at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
• Professor Frank Oberklaid AM, Co-Chair on the National Children’s Mental Health Strategy
• Dr Cassandra Goldie, CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service

The summit will be opened by The Hon. Dr Katie Allen MP and closed by The Hon. Shadow Assistant Minster for Health Ged Kearney MP.

To register for the Summit: Attendee Registration (racpevents.edu.au)

Authorised by Peter McIntyre, CEO, The Royal Australasian College of Physicians, 145 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW, 2000