BSPED position on RCPCH resource ‘Seeking and providing external second opinions in paediatrics’

The BSPED Clinical Committee has reviewed the RCPCH resource above and considers this to be a valuable initiative, especially for some specialities. At this moment the BSPED oversee 6 special interest groups (SIGs), with each having their own chair and members (e.g. Disorders of Sexual Development and Growth Disorders) where complex issues are discussed. Separately there is also a Virtual Paediatric Endocrine Group (VPEG) as well as informal networks within neighbouring tertiary centres which provide a forum for case discussion.

As the expertise is likely to be required for different aspects of endocrinology, setting up a formal network for each may end up replicating many of the processes that exist; a single expert group is unlikely to be able to cover the breadth of endocrinology expertise required. In light of the existing structures, the Clinical Committee did not have a strong sense that this needed to be pursued vigorously at the moment but there may be scope to consider incorporating elements of the RCPCH recommendations within the existing structures. The Clinical Committee thus recommend that colleagues wishing to seek external second opinions for specific endocrine problems should be aware of the RCPCH second opinion guidance and consider utilising the expertise within the SIGs or their own professional networks in the first instance.

Available on RCPCH website here