• 90% of trusts say children’s health and wellbeing not high enough national priority
• Just 16% of trusts keeping up with demand for CYP services
• Three-year waits for some autism and ADHD assessments
• Cross-government plan and public health boost needed

A forgotten generation’s life chances are being harmed due to delays accessing care, a new report reveals.

The NHS is struggling to meet rapidly rising demand and increasingly complex and acute care needs among children and young people, a survey by NHS Providers highlights.

There is deep concern among leaders of NHS trusts about the long-term harm caused by delays in services for children and young people (CYP), including a widening health inequalities gap.

Now NHS Providers is calling for a cross-government plan to improve the wellbeing of children and young people including more investment in early intervention and preventing ill health.

Waits for a range of essential services including health visiting, speech and language therapy, hearing tests, neurodevelopmental services (such as autism and ADHD) and paediatric surgery add to the stress and anxiety of patients, families, carers and NHS staff.

One trust reported that waiting times for children's autism assessments had increased from around 14 months pre-pandemic to 38 months now.

Findings include:

• Nearly all (97%) trusts responding said demand for CYP services has increased since the Covid-19 pandemic. 
• 86% said waiting times for initial assessments had increased compared to pre-pandemic
• 90% said that the health and wellbeing of children is not considered enough in national policy
• 82% said they cannot meet current demand and 75% would be unable to meet anticipated demand in next 12-18 months
• 86% were concerned about the impact on staff morale of challenges providing care

Sir Julian Hartley, chief executive, NHS Providers, said:

“We’re in danger of seeing a forgotten generation of young people. Too many young lives are being blighted by delays to accessing vital NHS care.

“Long waits for services have far-reaching implications for a child’s social development, school readiness and educational attainment. Preventing ill health among children and young people is central to ensuring the next generation are able to live well, thrive and contribute to society and the economy.

“Our survey shows NHS leaders are committed to providing safe and timely care for children and young people but they need the right support.

“That means a cast-iron commitment from the new government and NHS England that the physical and mental health of children and young people will be a priority, with the right amount and mix of NHS staff to give them the care they need. Trusts are ready to play their part in making things better for children and young people. It will require concerted, joined-up working between trusts, government, NHS England and local partners including councils, schools and the voluntary sector.

“For too long children and young people’s services haven’t been given the right level of focus. They need a say too in the national policies that affect them and the services they use.”

Ends

Notes to editor

• All regions and types of NHS trust, including acute, community, mental health and ambulance, were represented in 134 responses to the survey carried out April-May 2024.
• We define children and young people as those aged up to 25 years old.