Children across the UK are experiencing significant health issues due to prolonged delays in receiving NHS care. Conditions such as chronic pain, asthma, weight loss, and developmental problems are becoming more prevalent. Some young patients, unable to get timely treatment for diabetes or epilepsy, are forced to seek urgent care in A&E departments as their conditions deteriorate.
Paediatricians have voiced their concerns, calling the situation “shocking” and warning that these delays could lead to lifelong health consequences. A report from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has outlined the severity of the situation, showing how delayed treatment is impacting young lives.
The waiting times are extreme, with some children having to wait six years for an initial neurodevelopmental appointment, while others face an average of three years and five months. This has led to immense stress for families, with some reaching breaking point, even resulting in relationship breakdowns. Many are resorting to private healthcare to bypass the long NHS queues.
The RCPCH’s survey of 195 paediatricians reveals that additional resources are needed to address the growing crisis. The report highlights cases where children gain excessive weight while waiting for tests and consultations related to hypothyroidism. Other families, unable to access disability benefits without a formal diagnosis, are forced into poverty during these delays. Moreover, the psychological strain of waiting for medical attention contributes to emotional damage in these children, affecting their overall well-being.
Dr Ronny Cheung, the RCPCH officer for health services, describes the devastating effects of these delays, noting that many children are missing out on crucial early interventions. In one case, a child’s developmental delays went unaddressed for three years, causing missed opportunities for antenatal counselling, which led to the birth of a sibling with the same genetic condition.
The delays in surgery for conditions like spinal deformities are also resulting in severe complications, such as heart and breathing issues, with increased risks as surgeries are postponed. Additionally, children with swallowing difficulties face delays in speech and language therapy, sometimes needing to be fed through tubes instead of learning how to eat normally.
These delays are not just physical; children often miss school, become socially isolated, and suffer from anxiety, further diminishing their quality of life. The impact is far-reaching, with long-lasting effects on their health and development.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the critical state of the NHS and the urgent need for reform. They emphasised the government’s commitment to reducing waiting lists and improving access to care, with plans to increase operations, scans, and appointments by 40,000 per week as part of the broader effort to fix the system.
The strain on NHS services is causing significant harm to the youngest patients, whose futures are being jeopardised by delays in care. Urgent reforms and resources are needed to ensure children receive timely treatment to prevent lifelong health complications.
One Health Group PLC (AQSE:OHGR) are a team of Consultant Surgeons and Healthcare managers working with the NHS to provide faster, local and expert care in Orthopaedics, Spinal, General Surgery and Gynaecology.
