The NHS is struggling to meet rapidly rising demand and increasingly complex and acute care needs among children and young people, a survey by NHS Providers has found.
There is deep concern among leaders of NHS trusts about the long-term harm caused by delays in services for children and young people, including a widening health inequalities gap.
They are calling for a cross-government plan to improve the wellbeing of children and young people, including more investment in early intervention and preventing ill health.
Sir Julian Hartley, chief executive, NHS Providers, said: “We’re in danger of seeing a forgotten generation of young people.
“Long waits for services have far-reaching implications for a child’s social development, school readiness and educational attainment. Preventing ill health among children and young people is central to ensuring the next generation are able to live well, thrive and contribute to society and the economy.
He said NHS Providers want to see "a cast-iron commitment from the new government and NHS England that the physical and mental health of children and young people will be a priority, with the right amount and mix of NHS staff to give them the care they need."
Waits for a range of essential services including health visiting, speech and language therapy, hearing tests, neurodevelopmental services (such as autism and ADHD) and paediatric surgery add to the stress and anxiety of patients, families, carers and NHS staff.
One trust reported that waiting times for children's autism assessments had increased from around 14 months pre-pandemic to 38 months now.
The survey found that nearly all trusts responding said demand for services for young people has increased since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Also, 9 in 10 respondents said that the health and wellbeing of children is not considered enough in national policy.
Eighty two per cent said they cannot meet current demand and 75 per cent would be unable to meet anticipated demand in next 12-18 months.
Cllr David Fothergill, chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said it is "concerning" to learn of the findings.
He said: “We know that the foundations for future health are laid in the earliest years of life. Investing in services, such as health visiting, that give children the best start in life reduces demands on GPs, hospitals and social care.
“It means children start school ready to learn and to achieve, so our schools can be more effective. Investing at the start of life gives our children the best chance of being safe, happy and healthy throughout their lifetime and into old age.
“However we also need to see greater alignment, integration, and collaboration between partners wrapped around a common purpose which addresses the whole child and ensures a coordinated approach to their physical, emotional, and social wellbeing.”
