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Children's health waits skyrocket
23 Oct
Summary
- 80,000 children wait over a year for community health services.
- Youth mental health waits and school nurse shortages are growing.
- Children's delays are nearly 11 times higher than adults'.
Children and young people in England are facing the most severe increases in healthcare waiting times, according to a new report. Over 80,000 children are now waiting longer than a year for community health services, a stark contrast to adults whose waits have seen some improvement. This represents almost 11 times the number of adults experiencing similar delays.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) report highlights escalating waits for youth mental health services, alongside a concerning decrease in school nurses and health visitors. These issues arise as demand for such services continues to rise.
Long delays for children often involve community paediatric services, essential for assessing neurodevelopmental conditions like autism and ADHD. These services also support children needing speech and language therapy and care for various physical impairments.
The average wait for young people seeking initial mental health support has doubled, reaching 12 months by March 2026. This situation is described as having a profound impact on families and children's development, with experts warning of missed crucial intervention opportunities.
