Postcode lottery for children revealed as hundreds in some areas face 12 month waiting list for NHS treatment

Doctors have warned the pandemic has had a ‘very detrimental effect’ on children as paediatric staff were redeployed to treat adult Covid patients.

Analysis of official figures has revealed that there are currently nearly 268,000 children under the age of 16 on waiting lists in England.  72,458 of these have been waiting longer than the 18 week target and 13,854 have been waiting for longer than a year.

Paediatric waiting times in some areas are more than 20 times longer than in others, with children in the most deprived areas more likely to face delays.

Whilst NHS Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group has the best performing area with 173.6 children per 100,000 currently on a waiting list, NHS Sheffield CCG has 24 times as many children waiting, with a rate of 4,134 per 100,000.  NHS Manchester CCG has the highest rate at 514.8 per 100,000.

President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Dr Camilla Kingdon, said “These new figures reflect our concerns regarding the huge waiting lists for children and young people.

“The marked geographical variation emphasises again why tackling health inequalities is so crucial and if the government is serious about its “levelling up” agenda, this data lends weight to why this needs to be a priority.

“Throughout the pandemic, paediatric staffing and resources have frequently been diverted to adult services

“We’re seeing a worrying increase in eating disorders, severe anxiety and deliberate self-harm, but the waiting lists for treatment for these children can be months, putting enormous pressure on them and their families.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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