In a survey of its members, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) found that 79 per cent of respondents supported the ‘outright withdrawal’ of the Bill as opposed to a campaign for further amendments. 
RCPCH president, Professor Terence Stephenson, said, ‘Although we have secured some changes – such as the Children’s Forum – it’s our membership’s views that these do not go far enough.’
The Children and Young People's Health Outcomes Forum, co-chaired by RCPCH fellow professor Ian Lewis, and including a number of RCPCH members, was set up as an independent body comprising experts from across the charitable, healthcare and local government sectors to advise the Government.
It has been liaising with the government over the bill but the RCPCH remain concerned.
"Despite revisions and assurances from Government, there remains widespread and deep concern amongst not only our members but also the wider health profession and public, about the Bill’s impact on patient care," said Stephenson.
According to Mr Stephenson, in a meeting earlier this week Prime Minister David Cameron pledged to press ahead with the Bill despite concerns form health professionals.
Nursery World reported in October on fears that the Bill was neglecting to acknowledge the needs of children with disabilities.
An Every Disabled Child Matters report highlighted problems with the existing system and called for urgent action from the Department of Health to set out a clear vision for the way in which a reformed NHS would meet the needs of disabled children.
