Policy and Advocacy Library
The library is the culmination of the collaborative work of RACP members and comprises a comprehensive range of evidence-based, published RACP position statements, policies and submissions.
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Topic
Child health and young adult medicine
Description
This information has been developed by The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) for parents who are considering circumcision of their male infant. The information relates to circumcision of male infants, which is defined as the first 12 months of life (the infant period) with a focus on the newborn period (the first 28 days of life).
Topic
Child health and young adult medicine
Description
This RACP submission to the Social Services and Community Committee strongly supports the provisions of the Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Legislation Amendment Bill. RACP supports plans to make the Aroturuki Tamariki | the Independent Children’s Monitor an Independent Crown Entity (ICE) and to replace the Children and Young People's Commission’s five-member board structure with a sole Children’s Commissioner.
Topic
Child health and young adult medicine
Description
This RACP submission, led by PCHD, outlines feedback to the National Mental Health Commission on the draft National Guidelines for including mental health and wellbeing in Early Childhood Health Checks. The National Guidelines aim to support states and territories to implement nationally consistent mental health and wellbeing checks as part of the early childhood health checks for children aged 0-5 years, and provide children and families with early help and support. The inclusion of mental health and wellbeing in the National Guidelines is built on the knowledge that the first 2000 days of a child’s life are critical to their long-term thriving.
Topic
Child health and young adult medicine
Description
This RACP Submission to the NSW Inquiry into improving access to early childhood health and development checks outlines five key recommendations responding to the Inquiries Terms of Reference. The recommendations include prioritising investment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health leadership, the expansion of models of care which support children in rural and remote communities to access health services, the importance of multidisciplinary teams for child assessments and initiatives that support access to quality early childhood education programs for all three-year-olds.
Topic
Child health and young adult medicine
Description
The Roundtable raised awareness across the Australian Federal Parliament of the health and wellbeing needs of children in care and protection services and youth justice settings. The Roundtable provided a valuable space for Members of Parliament, government advisers and key stakeholders to discuss ways to improve the health and care for these children, including showcasing innovative models of care. The Roundtable was well attended by Federal Government Ministers, Members of Parliament, RACP members, key stakeholders and leaders of child health organisations.
Topic
Child health and young adult medicine
Description
The RACP's submission to the Climate Change Amendment (Duty of Care and Intergenerational Climate Equity) Bill reinforces our commitment to protecting health from the adverse impacts of climate change. Our submission highlights the importance of protecting current and future generations of children from the health impacts of climate change, and the role the Bill can play.
Topic
Child health and young adult medicine
Description
This RACP submission focuses on enhancing the assessment and support services for individuals living with ADHD, with specific attention to the diagnosis and experiences of children and young people with ADHD. The submission strongly advocates for integrated, cross-profession, team-based approaches to care to effectively address the needs of individuals with ADHD, emphasises the importance of gaining a deeper understanding of ADHD comorbidities and advocates for consistent regulations regarding ADHD medications across different states and territories. The submission also recommends the allocation of funding for the development of community-based research into the identification and diagnosis of ADHD in First Nations families and how to better support them.
Topic
Child health and young adult medicine
Description
This RACP submission highlights the need for investment in the early years of children’s health, development and wellbeing as the most cost-effective means of tackling long-term health conditions and health inequity. The submission recognises the importance of both child health and family health, and acknowledges the importance of providing greater support to programs for improving the mental health and parenting support for families and carers.
Topic
Child health and young adult medicine
Description
The Child Health Advocacy Strategy 2022-25 provides an overarching framework for advocacy on child health and takes a rights-based approach to child health. The Strategy builds on the positions established in the RACP position statements: Inequities in Child Health (2018), Early Childhood: The Importance of the Early Years (2019) and Indigenous Child Health in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand (2020).
The Strategy is a key advocacy piece for the Paediatrics and Child Health Division, with 5 key focus areas:
1. Strengthening whole-of-government planning and accountability for child health outcomes
2. Promoting healthy relationships: parental, child and adolescent mental health
3. Enhancing access to quality early childhood education
4. Promoting healthy nutrition and oral health
Topic
Child health and young adult medicine
Description
The Department of Social Services is developing the successor plan to the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020. The RACP submission provides feedback and ideas on how the successor plan’s first five-year implementation plan can create real change. The successor plan can only be successful if governments, the non-government and Aboriginal community-controlled sectors work together to identify and agree on more integrated approaches. This will require significant effort and investment and, given the scope of change required, should be a key focus of the implementation plan.
