Many children and young people are not getting the support they need, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has warned.

A recent report by NHS Providers showed that the life chances of a ‘forgotten generation’ are being harmed due to delays accessing care, with the NHS struggling to meet rapidly rising demand and increasingly complex and acute care needs among children and young people.

Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive, NHS Providers, said:

“The CQC report echoes what NHS trust leaders tell us. Far too many children wait far too long for vital physical and mental health services.

“Too many young lives are being blighted by delays to accessing care. Trust leaders are deeply concerned about meeting demand for services, including mental health, and the impact long waits for care are having on inequalities among children and young people.

“The CQC is right to raise the alarm about mental health services. Trusts are working hard to provide high-quality mental health services and manage risks to patient safety - but their ability to do so comes against a backdrop of soaring demand, resource pressures and the poor condition of the mental health estate,  much of which isn’t fit for purpose.

“A cross-government approach to improving health and wellbeing is vital to protect a whole generation of children and young people at risk of being left behind. The government has pledged to improve mental health provision for young people and ensure that mental health gets the same attention and focus as physical health.

“Today's report highlights that inequitable access to care compromises safety.  There’s an urgent need to tackle deep-rooted health and racial inequalities. Trusts are ready to play their part in making sure that everybody gets the right care in the right place at the right time."