The Care Quality Commission’s annual state of care report indicates that children and young people in England are experiencing unprecedented increases in healthcare waiting times within the NHS, with community health services particularly affected. The report noted that 80,000 children and young people have waited more than a year for an appointment in community health services alone, a figure substantially higher than comparable adult numbers.
While certain improvements have occurred across the broader health and social care system—including expanded GP appointment availability, greater adoption of digital healthcare solutions, and reduced waiting times for elective procedures—these gains have not kept pace with rising demand and staffing constraints. Mental health services and other areas continue to face mounting pressure as patient needs become increasingly complex. The report highlighted examples of successful local innovations, including neighborhood-based care models and integrated care teams.
Experts expressed particular concern about children bearing a disproportionate burden of long waiting times. Health visitor and school nurse staffing levels continue to decline despite growing demand for these services. The report also raised concerns about regional variations in hospital admissions for childhood diabetes and asthma, as well as disparities in children’s dental health across different areas.
Persistent inequalities throughout the health and social care system result in inconsistent access and outcomes dependent on geographic location and individual circumstances. Some adult cancer patients also faced unacceptable delays before treatment initiation, while urgent and emergency care departments remained under sustained strain. Medical professionals emphasized that extended waits prevent children from accessing critical developmental support and allow conditions to worsen during the waiting period.
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