Dedicated paediatric teaching remains critical to the undergraduate medical curriculum

Paediatrics, the branch of medicine responsible for the health and medical care of infants, children and adolescents from birth to young adulthood, is a relatively recent speciality with its origins in the mid‐19th century.1 Unlike many other areas of practice, the population it serves is unable to advocate for itself. This often results in paediatrics being overlooked in planning services and education. One should note that a long protected childhood is unique to our species and essential for human mental and physical health.2

Dedicated paediatric teaching in the undergraduate/postgraduate medical curriculum is essential, irrespective of the intended area of practice for the doctors in training. The reasons for this are as follows.