Wales children's services now 'unsustainable' as waiting lists see massive increase

A “DRAMATIC rise in waiting times” is leaving children across Wales without the community care they need and impacting other services, including education and hospitals, senior doctors have warned.

- ABBIE WIGHTWICK

A report from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) Wales, published yesterday, says early intervention for children is being overlooked while the focus is on long waits for adults.

The report shows that waiting times for community services for children have doubled in many health board areas and are now “out of control”.

These gaps have “serious consequences”, from poor school readiness to long-term health issues, the college said.

The report, “Collaborative Healthcare in Wales: Delivering the Services Children Need in the Community” highlights waiting list data for each Welsh health board.

Community child health services provide care for children in their communities rather than hospitals and also include areas such as mental health and additional learning needs.

Staff include paediatricians, health visitors, continence nurses, dietitians, speech and language therapists and psychologists. They assess safeguarding and help support children with complex medical needs.

They work in clinics, schools and community hubs with a focus on long-term care.

Teachers have reported some children arriving at school still in nappies, as well as unable to do things like use cutlery or tie laces and not having “met milestones”.

The report says these delays have an impact beyond health and often impact children’s social development and school attendance as well as their future economic contribution and requirements from adult NHS services.