Paediatricians call for government to withdraw the health bill

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health is calling on the government to withdraw the Health and Social Care Bill after 79% of respondents to an online survey voted to back the move rather than to push for amendments.

The college says it is urging ministers to bring together all healthcare professionals to work on practical steps for delivering areas of reform where there is clear consensus.

It joins the BMA, the Royal College of General Practitioners, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the Faculty of Public Health, the Society of Radiographers, and the Royal Colleges of Nursing and Midwives in opposing the bill.

There were 1492 valid votes (14.5% turnout) to the survey from the college’s UK members. Of these, 308 (20.6%) voted …