Latest news with #RCPCH
Cambrian News
5 days ago
- Health
- Cambrian News
'Startling' waiting times for children's community healthcare
The RCPCH has called on the Welsh Government to deliver on its long-standing ambition of care closer to home by investing in early years support and ensuring adequate staffing across disciplines like community paediatrics, speech and language therapy, and mental health.
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Health
- Wales Online
Huge rise in waiting times leaving children across Wales without care they need
Huge rise in waiting times leaving children across Wales without care they need A report from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health says ealy intervention for children is being overlooked while the focus is on long waits for adults A "dramatic rise in waiting times" is leaving children across Wales without the community care they need and affecting other services, including education and hospitals, senior doctors are warning. A report from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) Wales , published on Tuesday, warns early intervention for children is being overlooked while the focus is on long waits for adults. The report shows that waiting times for community services for children have doubled in many health board areas and are now "out of control". These gaps have "serious consequences" from poor school readiness to long-term health issues, the college said. The report, titles Collaborative Healthcare in Wales: Delivering the Services Children Need in the Community, highlights waiting list data for each Welsh health board. Community child health services provide care for children in their communities rather than hospitals and also include areas such as mental health and additional learning needs. Staff include paediatricians, health visitors, continence nurses, dieticians, speech and language therapists, and psychologists. They assess safeguarding and help support children with complex medical needs. They work in clinics, schools, and community hubs with a focus on long-term care. Article continues below Teachers have reported some children arriving at school still in nappies as well as unable to do things like use cutlery or tie laces and not having "met milestones" and you can read more about that here The waits for paedeatric community services in each health board in Wales Data obtained by the RCPCH under freedom of information laws between March and May this year reveals the times children wait for these services are soaring as well as numbers of those waiting. Aneurin Bevan: The number of children waiting for a community paediatric service increased by 117% from 150 in 2015 to 326 by 2024. The biggest increases occurred in speech and language therapy rising from 271 to 585 (a 115% increase) and paediatric dietetic services rising from 102 to 368 (a 260% increase). The number of children and young people seeking an autism or ADHD assessment rose by 166% (1,038 to 2,765) between 2020 and 2024. However the number referred for an assessment declined by 12% from 466 to 406. The number of children waiting for a community paediatric service increased by 117% from 150 in 2015 to 326 by 2024. The biggest increases occurred in speech and language therapy rising from 271 to 585 (a 115% increase) and paediatric dietetic services rising from 102 to 368 (a 260% increase). The number of children and young people seeking an autism or ADHD assessment rose by 166% (1,038 to 2,765) between 2020 and 2024. However the number referred for an assessment declined by 12% from 466 to 406. Betsi Cadwaladwr: The number of children waiting for community paediatric services increased from 805 in 2018 to 8,986 in 2025, marking a 1016% increase. Numbers of children waiting for a neurodevelopmental assessment increased from 2,739 in 2022 to 6,774 as of January 2025, which is a 147% rise. The number of children waiting for community paediatric services increased from 805 in 2018 to 8,986 in 2025, marking a 1016% increase. Numbers of children waiting for a neurodevelopmental assessment increased from 2,739 in 2022 to 6,774 as of January 2025, which is a 147% rise. Cardiff and Vale: The number of children waiting for a community paediatric service has risen 302% since 2018 from 1,239 to 4,990. The number of community paediatricians fell 8% during this time. In comparison the number on community paediatrics waiting lists has grown three times, rising from 1,239 (2018) to 4,990 (2025) – the equivalent of a 302% increase. The number of children waiting for a community paediatric service has risen 302% since 2018 from 1,239 to 4,990. The number of community paediatricians fell 8% during this time. In comparison the number on community paediatrics waiting lists has grown three times, rising from 1,239 (2018) to 4,990 (2025) – the equivalent of a 302% increase. Cwm Taf: The number of children waiting for a community paediatric service fell from 141 (2023) to 135 (2025). The number of under-18s waiting for neurodevelopmental services rose from 2,173 in 2023 to 3,391 by January 1, 2025 – a rise of 56%. The average wait for neurodiversity services as of December 31, 2024, was 105 weeks. The average wait for community paediatrics (complex medical needs) decreased from 84 weeks (2023) to 51 weeks (2024). The number of children waiting for a community paediatric service fell from 141 (2023) to 135 (2025). The number of under-18s waiting for neurodevelopmental services rose from 2,173 in 2023 to 3,391 by January 1, 2025 – a rise of 56%. The average wait for neurodiversity services as of December 31, 2024, was 105 weeks. The average wait for community paediatrics (complex medical needs) decreased from 84 weeks (2023) to 51 weeks (2024). Hywel Dda: The number of children waiting for community paediatric services went up by 4.1% between 2018 and 2025, rising from 1,477 to 1,538. The number waiting for an autism spectrum disorder assessment has risen by 781% since 2018 and the number waiting for an ADHD assessment has risen by 331% since 2018 – an increase from 343 in 2018 to 3,025 in 2024. The number of children waiting for an ADHD assessment has increased by 331% from 172 in 2018 to 743 in number of community paediatricians has increased by 7.6% between 2018 to 2024. The number of children waiting for community paediatric services went up by 4.1% between 2018 and 2025, rising from 1,477 to 1,538. The number waiting for an autism spectrum disorder assessment has risen by 781% since 2018 and the number waiting for an ADHD assessment has risen by 331% since 2018 – an increase from 343 in 2018 to 3,025 in 2024. The number of children waiting for an ADHD assessment has increased by 331% from 172 in 2018 to 743 in number of community paediatricians has increased by 7.6% between 2018 to 2024. Powys: The health board employs three community paediatricians and has 119 children waiting for community paediatric services and 1,109 for neurodevelopmental services – a rise of 112% between 2022 and this year. The health board employs three community paediatricians and has 119 children waiting for community paediatric services and 1,109 for neurodevelopmental services – a rise of 112% between 2022 and this year. Swansea: The number of children waiting for a community paediatric service has increased by 112% since 2020, jumping from 597 to 1,271. The average number of weeks waiting has increased from 36 to 80. The figures are not comparable and should not be totalled as an overall waiting list figure for Wales. This is because the figures given by health boards under FOI "lack uniformity and at times are inconsistent or incomplete", the college said. Instead the report uses the data to "spotlight" community paediatric service waits for each health board. The report says these delays have an impact beyond health and often affect children's social development and school attendance as well as their future economic contribution and requirements from adult NHS services. Sign up for our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. One doctor said: "The long waiting times even for initial assessments and longer for diagnosis are having a significant impact. Resources are being spent on diagnostics but not much resources are going into support services after diagnosis." Paediatricians said the situation is unsustainable. The RCPCH is demanding that the Welsh Government "delivers its long-standing ambition of care closer to home" by putting the money needed into early years support and ensuring adequate staffing across community paediatrics, speech and language therapy, and mental health. RCPCH officer for Wales, Dr Nick Wilkinson, said: "Children and young people are too often overlooked with services focused on adult pressures. "Despite the Welsh Government's aim to deliver care closer to home community child health remains underfunded with too few health visitors, continence nurses, and speech and language therapists. "These gaps have serious consequences, from poor school-readiness to long-term health issues, and we're seeing the impact of this on all our services "Early intervention is vital yet growing waiting lists and delays are leaving children without the timely care they need. The Welsh Government must act now to prioritise and invest in children's services – before more young lives are impacted." Children's Commissioner for Wales Rocio Cifuentes said the importance of early intervention in children's health could not be overstated. Failing to act in time left children at risk of their health problems worsening and going on into adulthood as well as putting more pressure on public services, he warned. Dr Lizzy Nickerson, chair of the Wales Community Child Health Network and consultant community paediatrician, said the report exposed "the part of the iceberg that has been ignored for too long". She said political priorities must now be on the long-term consequences of neglecting children with neurodivergence and complex needs. "For so long we have heard how parents and carers are struggling and this is very evident in the long waiting lists, increased safeguarding concerns, and the rising need for community paediatric services," Dr Nickerson said. "These children are tomorrow's adults and without the investment into their needs and the workforce who cares for them the socioeconomic future is bleak." The college's report makes recommendations to the Welsh Government including increasing the number of training and consultant places for community paediatricians and increasing training places for the wider child health workforce. A Welsh Government spokesman said: 'We take improving children's health seriously. Article continues below "We've invested £50m to help health boards tackle waiting times and have seen great improvements in speech and language therapy and children's mental health waits over the last 12 months. 'We're currently investing £294m into health professional education and training in Wales and we continue to work with health boards to ensure that children are supported to have the best healthy start to life.'
South Wales Argus
6 days ago
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Aneurin Bevan health board waiting lists 'more than doubled'
The warning comes from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), which highlights 'devastating consequences' of underinvestment in community paediatrics across Wales. In Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, waiting lists for community paediatrics more than doubled from 150 in 2015 to 326 in 2024. Dr Nick Wilkinson, RCPCH officer for Wales, said: "Early intervention is vital, yet growing waiting lists and delays are leaving children without the timely care they need. "The Welsh Government must act now to prioritise and invest in children's services — before more young lives are impacted." The RCPCH's report, Collaborative Healthcare in Wales, calls on the Welsh Government to invest in early years support and address urgent staffing shortages in community paediatrics, speech and language therapy. Rocio Cifuentes, Children's Commissioner for Wales, said: "Failure to act will risk health problems worsening over time and having a significant impact well into adulthood, as well as placing more and more pressure on public services." The report also highlights increased safeguarding concerns, rising demand for complex needs care, and long-term impacts on children's development and wellbeing. It calls for a multi-agency, needs-based approach to supporting children and families.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Children are facing 'catastrophic' waits for community health care after the backlog surged to almost 315,000
Children are facing 'catastrophic' waits for community health care after the backlog surged to almost 315,000, doctors warn. Long waits can cause 'irreparable harm' and have 'lifelong impacts', according to the new report by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. It said the waiting list for children in need for care in the community is growing, with hold-ups facing kids to delay the age at which they start school, hampering their ability to socialise or play sport or harming their mental health. The authors called into question Government plans to shift care from hospitals into the community, saying that without 'urgent action' community waiting lists for children will 'continue to grow'. Community paediatricians care for children with a number of conditions including those with developmental disorders and disabilities; those with complex health needs, including end of life care; children who have neurodevelopmental disorders including autism and ADHD. They also see children where there are safeguarding concerns, who are 'looked after' or being adopted. The latest figures show that in March 2025 there were 314,432 children and young people waiting for community health services. This is compared to 272,625 in March 2024. The RCPCH said that children and young people are waiting significantly longer than adults to access community health services, with 22 per cent of those currently waiting for a year or more. Among the children currently on waiting lists, 67,725 had been waiting more than a year, and 15,240 children – or 5 per cent of all children on community waiting lists – had been waiting for more than two years. This compares to 1.3 per cent of adults are waiting for a year for community health services. And while 86 per cent of adults are seen within 18 weeks, only 50 per cent of children and young people are seen within the same timeframe. 'Average waiting times for community child health services are now some of the longest of any part of the health system,', the RCPCH report says. It describes the current state of children's community services is 'unsustainable', and adds; 'Children and young people (CYP) are waiting longer than adults to access healthcare in England. 'Paediatric services are not recovering at the same rates as adult services, and there is a growing gap between demand and capacity.' Addressing ministerial plans to bring care closer to home, the authors said: 'We urgently need transformational change in children's community services. 'The Government should urgently address the current long waiting times in community child health services as a core part of recovery plans, before progress can be made on a wider shift of care into the community.' Dr Ronny Cheung, officer for health services at the RCPCH, said: 'Lengthy waits are unacceptable for any patient but for children and young people the waits can be catastrophic, as many treatments need to be given by a specific age or developmental stage. 'Waits such as these can result in delayed starts to school, limitations on socialising, play sports, increased risk of poor mental health, behavioural problems and distress for both the child and their families. 'We want the NHS's 10-year plan to succeed, but we cannot shift care into the community while children are currently being left behind. 'Without urgent action, these waiting lists will continue to grow — and children will keep missing out on the vital care they need.' The report makes a series of recommendations, including: a waiting time target so children are all seen within a maximum of 18 weeks; work to address the 'investment gap' between children and adult services and efforts to improve the children's community health workforce. Dr Douglas Simkiss, chair of the British Association for Community Child Health, said: 'Community children's services are a vital but often overlooked component of the health care system. 'Implementing the recommendations in this report will have a tremendous positive impact for the children and families that rely on these services and the staff who work in them.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'Too many children are not getting the care they need when they need it. 'This Government is committed to shifting care out of hospital and into the community: this is vital for children and their families, but it will take time. 'We are working to transform mental health services for children – hiring more staff and delivering more talking therapies – and putting mental health support in every school. 'We know more must be done and we are working with integrated care boards to understand the extent of the problem in each region so we can reduce waits for community health services.'
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Warning as children face ‘catastrophic' waits for care
A significant number of children are facing 'catastrophic' waits for care in the community, leading children's doctors have warned. A new report from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) warns that long waits for care can cause 'irreparable harm' and 'lifelong impacts' in some cases. Experts from the college said the waiting list for children in need of care in the community is increasing as they warned that lengthy waits for children can result in delayed starts to school and limitations on children socialising and playing sports, as well as mental health problems. And the authors called into question Government plans to shift care from hospitals into the community, saying that without 'urgent action' community waiting lists for children will 'continue to grow'. Community paediatricians assess and manage a wide range of developmental, physical and social issues facing children. The latest figures show that in March 2025 there were 314,432 children and young people waiting for community health services. This is compared to 272,625 in March 2024. The RCPCH said that children and young people are waiting significantly longer than adults to access community health services, with 22% of those currently waiting for a year or more. Among the children currently on waiting lists, 67,725 had been waiting more than a year, and 15,240 children – or 5% of all children on community waiting lists – had been waiting for more than two years. This compares to 1.3% of adults are waiting for a year for community health services. And while 86% of adults are seen within 18 weeks, only half (50%) of children and young people are seen within the same timeframe. 'Average waiting times for community child health services are now some of the longest of any part of the health system,' according to an RCPCH report, seen by the PA news agency. The report says that the current state of children's community services is 'unsustainable'. 'Children and young people (CYP) are waiting longer than adults to access healthcare in England,' the authors add. 'Paediatric services are not recovering at the same rates as adult services, and there is a growing gap between demand and capacity.' Addressing ministerial plans to bring care closer to home, the authors said: 'We urgently need transformational change in children's community services. 'The Government should urgently address the current long waiting times in community child health services as a core part of recovery plans, before progress can be made on a wider shift of care into the community.' Community paediatricians care for children with a number of conditions including those with developmental disorders and disabilities; those with complex health needs, including end of life care; children who have neurodevelopmental disorders including autism and ADHD. They also see children where there are safeguarding concerns, who are 'looked after' or being adopted. Dr Ronny Cheung, officer for health services at the RCPCH, said: 'Lengthy waits are unacceptable for any patient but for children and young people the waits can be catastrophic, as many treatments need to be given by a specific age or developmental stage. 'Waits such as these can result in delayed starts to school, limitations on socialising, play sports, increased risk of poor mental health, behavioural problems and distress for both the child and their families. 'We want the NHS's 10-year plan to succeed, but we cannot shift care into the community while children are currently being left behind. 'Without urgent action, these waiting lists will continue to grow — and children will keep missing out on the vital care they need.' The report makes a series of recommendations, including: a waiting time target so children are all seen within a maximum of 18 weeks; work to address the 'investment gap' between children and adult services and efforts to improve the children's community health workforce. Commenting, Dr Douglas Simkiss, chair of the British Association for Community Child Health, said: 'Community children's services are a vital but often overlooked component of the health care system. 'Implementing the recommendations in this report will have a tremendous positive impact for the children and families that rely on these services and the staff who work in them.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'Too many children are not getting the care they need when they need it. 'This Government is committed to shifting care out of hospital and into the community: this is vital for children and their families, but it will take time. 'We are working to transform mental health services for children – hiring more staff and delivering more talking therapies – and putting mental health support in every school. 'We know more must be done and we are working with integrated care boards to understand the extent of the problem in each region so we can reduce waits for community health services.'
