Children’s early development at risk with year-long NHS waits
Across England, tens of thousands of children are facing extensive delays in accessing vital NHS community care services. An analysis reveals that a quarter of the 300,000 children currently on waiting lists have been waiting over a year for support, including hearing services, speech and language therapy, and disability support. These delays are raising serious concerns among NHS leaders and medical professionals, who describe the situation as “catastrophic” and warn of significant harm to children’s health and development.
The Growing Wait Times
The situation has worsened considerably in recent years. Since the beginning of 2023, the number of children waiting more than a year for these services has increased sixfold, now exceeding 77,500 in England. This disparity is stark when compared to adult community care, where only 1% of patients experience year-long waits, versus 26% of children. While the data focuses on England, reports from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) indicate similar extended wait times are being observed in other parts of the United Kingdom.
Personal Impact of Delays
Tiya Currie, a mother from London, experienced firsthand the challenges of navigating these lengthy wait times. Her six-year-old son, Arun, struggled with speech difficulties from a young age. After two years on waiting lists, Tiya and her husband made the difficult decision to spend £4,000 of their savings on private speech therapy and a formal diagnosis. This revealed Arun had developmental language disorder (DLD), a condition impacting spoken language comprehension and use.
“I was completely in the dark and I was tearing my hair out. That was really stressful,” Tiya stated. She emphasized the need for better early intervention and resources, arguing that children should be prioritized due to their ongoing developmental needs.
Why These Waits Matter
Experts warn that these delays are particularly damaging to children with complex needs, including learning and physical disabilities, as well as those awaiting assessments for conditions like autism or ADHD. Elliot Howard-Jones, chair of the Robinson Group, which represents specialist community NHS services, expressed concern about the impact on children’s development. He explained that for a child, waiting for support means falling behind peers and potentially never catching up.
Several NHS leaders echo these concerns, pointing to chronic underinvestment and increasing demand as key factors. Richard Kirby, chair of the NHS Confederation and NHS Providers’ community network, stated that without additional support, children will continue to fall further behind. Dr. Ronny Cheung, from the RCPCH, added that long waits can miss crucial opportunities for timely intervention and prevent long-lasting complications.
Potential Next Steps
The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledges the unacceptable wait times and has announced a new target for community health services to see patients within 18 weeks, aligning with hospital treatment standards. The government also points to its 10-year NHS plan, which includes increased investment in community services. However, whether these measures will be sufficient to address the scale of the problem remains to be seen. It is possible that continued pressure from NHS leaders and patient advocacy groups could lead to further investment and policy changes. Alternatively, if funding remains constrained, wait times could continue to rise, exacerbating the challenges faced by children and families.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of services are children waiting for?
Children are waiting for a range of community care services, including hearing services, speech and language therapy, and disability support.
How does the waiting time for children compare to adults?
Year-long waits are uncommon for adults in community care, with only 1% waiting that long. In contrast, 26% of children are waiting over a year.
What is Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)?
DLD is a diagnosis given to children who have significant, ongoing difficulties understanding or using spoken language.
As communities grapple with these increasing wait times, what role can families and advocates play in ensuring children receive the support they need to thrive?