Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
Encyclopedia
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in London
is responsible for the training of postgraduate doctors in paediatrics and conducting the MRCPCH membership exams. They also conduct the Diploma in Child Health exam, which is taken by many doctors who plan a career in General Practice. Fellows of the college have the postnominal initials FRCPCH.
The United Kingdom
's first national group of paediatricians was established in 1928 as the British Paediatric Association or BPA.
Royal College status was granted to the BPA in August 1996. Shortly after this, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health moved to its first home in Hallam Street, London
. On 21 March 2008, the college moved to new premises at 5-11 Theobalds Rd, London, WC1X 8SH, its current home.
, to which most paediatricians also belonged.
The functions and responsibilities of the RCPCH have rapidly expanded since its formation to include the oversight of postgraduate training and examinations. It continues to conduct paediatric research, organise meetings and conferences and to publish papers and guidelines of relevance to paediatric practice.
The College works closely with other bodies that have responsibilities in the same or related areas, including the Department of Health (United Kingdom)
, the Deaneries, the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board, the General Medical Council
, NCAS, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
, children's charities and the other Medical Royal Colleges.
The College currently has about 11,500 members, who are mainly hospital and community paediatricians. Most members are based in the UK, though there is an increasing number of members and fellows who live overseas.
of the College commemorate June Lloyd
, first female President of the British Paediatric Association, and Thomas Phaire
, whose Boke of Chyldren from 1545 was the first book on paediatrics in English
. The crest
is a baby, taken from the arms of the Foundling Hospital
in Coram's Fields
.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
is responsible for the training of postgraduate doctors in paediatrics and conducting the MRCPCH membership exams. They also conduct the Diploma in Child Health exam, which is taken by many doctors who plan a career in General Practice. Fellows of the college have the postnominal initials FRCPCH.
The United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's first national group of paediatricians was established in 1928 as the British Paediatric Association or BPA.
Royal College status was granted to the BPA in August 1996. Shortly after this, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health moved to its first home in Hallam Street, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. On 21 March 2008, the college moved to new premises at 5-11 Theobalds Rd, London, WC1X 8SH, its current home.
Aims of the College
Since the earliest days, the aim of the BPA was the advancement of the study of paediatrics and the promotion of friendship amongst paediatricians. The association in its early days had neither statutory functions nor political influence. The postgraduate training and examination of paediatricians continued to be the responsibility of the Royal College of PhysiciansRoyal College of Physicians
The Royal College of Physicians of London was founded in 1518 as the College of Physicians by royal charter of King Henry VIII in 1518 - the first medical institution in England to receive a royal charter...
, to which most paediatricians also belonged.
The functions and responsibilities of the RCPCH have rapidly expanded since its formation to include the oversight of postgraduate training and examinations. It continues to conduct paediatric research, organise meetings and conferences and to publish papers and guidelines of relevance to paediatric practice.
The College works closely with other bodies that have responsibilities in the same or related areas, including the Department of Health (United Kingdom)
Department of Health (United Kingdom)
The Department of Health is a department of the United Kingdom government with responsibility for government policy for health and social care matters and for the National Health Service in England along with a few elements of the same matters which are not otherwise devolved to the Scottish,...
, the Deaneries, the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board, the General Medical Council
General Medical Council
The General Medical Council registers and regulates doctors practising in the United Kingdom. It has the power to revoke or restrict a doctor's registration if it deems them unfit to practise...
, NCAS, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is a special health authority of the English National Health Service , serving both English NHS and the Welsh NHS...
, children's charities and the other Medical Royal Colleges.
The College currently has about 11,500 members, who are mainly hospital and community paediatricians. Most members are based in the UK, though there is an increasing number of members and fellows who live overseas.
Coat of arms
The coat of armsCoat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
of the College commemorate June Lloyd
June Lloyd, Baroness Lloyd of Highbury
June Kathleen Lloyd, Baroness Lloyd of Highbury DBE was a British paediatrician and, in retirement, a cross bench member of the House of Lords...
, first female President of the British Paediatric Association, and Thomas Phaire
Thomas Phaire
Thomas Phaer was an English lawyer, pediatrician, and author. He is best known as the author of The Boke of Chyldren, published in 1545, which was the first book on pediatrics written in the English language.-Life:It is thought that Phaer was born in Norwich...
, whose Boke of Chyldren from 1545 was the first book on paediatrics in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
. The crest
Crest (heraldry)
A crest is a component of an heraldic display, so called because it stands on top of a helmet, as the crest of a jay stands on the bird's head....
is a baby, taken from the arms of the Foundling Hospital
Foundling Hospital
The Foundling Hospital in London, England was founded in 1741 by the philanthropic sea captain Thomas Coram. It was a children's home established for the "education and maintenance of exposed and deserted young children." The word "hospital" was used in a more general sense than it is today, simply...
in Coram's Fields
Coram's Fields
Coram's Fields is a large urban open space in the London borough of Camden in central London, England. It occupies seven acres in Bloomsbury and includes a children's playground, sand pits, a duck pond, a pets corner, café and nursery...
.