The RCP warns that children are being left at risk of abuse because doctors are spread too thinly, The Telegraph reports.
A survey of 59 designated paediatricians with responsibility for child protection revealed that one doctor was expected to cover a population of 200,000 children with no allotted time for the role. The poll also found that just over one in ten thought the NHS reforms would improve child protection.
The report said: "It is clear that doctors do not feel adequately trained or resourced to effectively safeguard children, potentially putting children's lives at risk."
More women are dying from cancer of the womb as diagnoses increase due to obesity, data conducted by Cancer Research has found.
The BBC reports that the number of deaths has increased by 18% in the past decade. From the 1970s to 1996 the incidence of womb cancer stayed roughly the same at about 13.7 cases for every 100,000 women in the UK. It now stands at 19.6 per 100,000, a 43% increase.
It has been suggested that rising levels of obesity were behind the rise. Cancer Research UK said the finding was "hugely troubling".
On a not-unrelated theme, the UK fertility regulator is encouraging an increase egg and sperm donors, the BBC reports.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) is launching a new drive to encourage more donors to come forward to help infertile couples have a child.
The HFEA is trying to increase the number of national donors because of concerns about the safety of treatment abroad.
But critics argue that donors should not be given more encouragement to come forward.
Josephine Quintavalle, of Comment on Reproductive Ethics, said: ‘It's one thing to incur risks for your own fertility treatment," she said, "quite another to be exposed to those risks for the benefit of other mothers.'
The number of GPs who believe that the NHS reforms will improve patient care is falling, a BBC poll suggests.
Just 12% agree that putting GP-led groups in charge of the budget would mean patients would see a ‘noticeable' improvement. A figure that is down from 23% in September 2010.
A majority of the 814 GPs polled, 83% believe that there would be an increase in rationing in their area.
But, when asked about the role of private companies in the NHS, 87% agreed the changes set out in the health bill would lead to them having a bigger role.
