More than 80% of paediatricians say there is not an appropriate level of capacity locally to meet increasing demand, a survey by Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has revealed.
The survey found that 74% of paediatricians are seeing children and young people who have waited over 18 weeks for an appointment, with 77% very concerned by these long waits.
Three-quarters of paediatricians said they see children who are negatively affected by long waiting times for treatment, with 83% reporting inadequate capacity in their local area to meet demand.
RCPCH said this situation was the result of a decade of chronic underinvestment and lack of national prioritisation in children’s health.
And it said that the survey of 195 paediatricians working in the four home nations showed that more resources must be invested in under-18s care.
The college has published a report – From left behind to leading the way: a blueprint for transforming child health services in England – as a blueprint for Government action to improve the situation.
The report highlights that the number of children waiting over 52 weeks for care has increased by 60% for elective services, and 94% for community health services, in just two years.
It also said that only 8% of mental health spending is allocated to children and young people’s mental health provision, despite them making up 30% of the demand.
Dr Ronny Cheung, RCPCH officer for health services, described the findings as ‘a shocking snapshot of the state of child health services today’.
‘The impacts of long-waits are as devastating as they are far-reaching: children and their families denied child disability payments until seen by a paediatrician, mild symptoms progressing into much more complicated conditions and a reduced quality of life, school exclusions and wider family stress.
‘These are impacts that will have life-long consequences and, tragically, are repeated hundreds of thousands of times across the UK,’ he said.
The blueprint makes recommendations for change across seven key areas of child health services: funding, workforce, integration, data and digital innovation, urgent and emergency care, community services and primary care.
Recommendations include:
• Developing a child health workforce strategy
• Introducing a children and young people specific waiting times standard for Integrated Care Systems (ICS)
• Prioritising the development of a digital child health record
• Adequately investing in community paediatrics, as well as health visiting and school nursing services
RCPCH president, Professor Steve Turner, said: ‘Children and young people are 25% of the population and 100% of the future, yet the evidence clearly shows that as a country we are failing our children. We now have a two-tier healthcare system where services for adults are invested in, while children are left behind.’
He added: ‘I know that with a renewed focus we can turn this around. Investing in and reforming paediatric services is not only valuable but is fundamental to the future health and economic wellbeing of our country.’
