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More than 80,000 children have waited over a year for NHS community care, nearly 11 times as many as adults

Children stuck waiting more than a year rose 129% in the two years to March 2026, even as adult long waits fell, according to the Care Quality Commission's annual State of Care report. Most are waiting for autism and ADHD assessments. The number of children awaiting their first mental health services appointment climbed 31% to 311,070 a month. Separate King's Fund research found school nurse numbers fell 38% from 2010.

Hospital admissions for bronchiolitis in under-twos are still more than 50% above the level seen ten years ago.

Children in the poorest areas suffer more than twice the tooth decay of the least deprived.

Ronnie Cheung of the paediatricians' college warned the delays are hitting children's education and families.

MoreThe TelegraphChildren face sharpest increase in health care waiting times - The TelegraphThe IndependentOver 80,000 children waiting longer than a year for community health services, report findsThe GuardianChild health in England at risk from sharp rise in NHS waiting times, report saysThe IndependentNew report reveals alarming rise in healthcare waiting times for UK childrenHealthcare Management MagazineOver 80,000 children face year-long waits for community health appointments - Healthcare Management MagazineCare AppointmentsConcern raised over ‘sharp increase’ in children waiting for healthcare, CQC report - Care AppointmentsUA.NEWS80,000 children in England wait more than a year for a doctor’s appointment — The Guardian - UA.NEWS
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