Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

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.

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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 current home in Hallam Street, London.

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 Physicians, 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 currently has over 8,000 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 arms 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.