Thousands of children in England are facing significant increases in waiting times for healthcare, according to a report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). This annual state of care report highlights that while some adult waiting times have improved, children and young people are being "hit hardest" due to soaring demand and a decline in staff numbers.
Key Findings
- 80,000 children and young people are waiting more than a year for an appointment in community health services, nearly 11 times the number of adults.
- Experts describe this situation as "wholly unacceptable," noting that children's health conditions are worsening and becoming harder to treat.
Broader Context
Despite some improvements across health and social care services in England, including more GP appointments and shorter waits for elective care, these advancements are struggling to keep pace with the rapidly rising demand. The report also mentions local innovations, such as neighbourhood models and integrated care teams, but persistent inequalities remain.
Regional Disparities
The CQC report points out significant variations in access to services and quality of care across different regions. For instance, some adults with cancer are waiting too long to start treatment after diagnosis, and there is sustained pressure in urgent and emergency care. However, children are particularly affected by long waiting times, with declining numbers of health visitors and school nurses.
