- An estimated 400,000 children are seeking support from health services for a suspected neurodevelopmental condition.
- Average waits of 2 years and 7 months for a first appointment for children referred for Down’s Syndrome
- Almost a quarter (23%) of children diagnosed with ADHD waited more than four years after their referral for a diagnosis, while almost one sixth (15%) waited over four years for their diagnosis of autism in Community Health Services.
- Average waits of 8 months for children waiting for a first appointment for epilepsy/neurological service team (compared to 18-week target
- Average waits of 2 years and 3 months for a diagnosis for a neurodevelopmental disorder – with 17% children waiting over 4 years
RCPCH Officer for Health Services, Dr Ronny Cheung, said:
This report from the Children’s Commissioner lays bare the current crisis in community and mental health services. Despite their profound importance, these services experience some of the longest waits across the system – with children and young people being disproportionately affected.
It is unacceptable that so many children are waiting for as long as several years to access much needed support, with many left in limbo while they are unable to start their education, struggle to communicate effectively or reaching a crisis point in their mental health. We are not giving these children a fair start in life.
Children’s community health services are at breaking point. Recently the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care indicated that paediatric services will be a centre of government plans. However, we need the government to clearly set out the specific actions it will take to bring down waiting lists for all children, and specifically for children with neurodevelopmental conditions who are experiencing some of the longest waiting times in the country.
Improving neurodevelopmental pathways must be a priority for the health service. This includes improving support for children while they wait, and ensuring diagnosis is not a barrier for support in health, education, local authorities or short breaks providers. It is time to invest in children and young people’s health and in our workforce and to start thinking about the wellbeing of our future nation through concrete preventative health policies and child health focused recovery plans.