Waiting list for children hits 350,000

THE number of children on NHS waiting lists has passed 350,000 for the first time – after rising by 100,000 in just a year, figures show.

Experts warn that long waits are particularly harmful for youngsters as it can impair their mental and physical development at a critical time of life. But only 65.4 per cent of under-18s are being treated within the 18-week target and 12,000 have been waiting for more than a year.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) said it was ‘dismayed’ by the figures as it called for youngsters to be prioritised for care.

There were 350,969 waiting to start treatment with a consultant at the end of April, NHS England data reveals.

This is up 100,000 in a year to the highest level since records began. The overall NHS waiting list, including adults, is also at a record high of 6.5 million.

The surge in demand, following a slowdown in routine care during the pandemic, means the average child is now waiting three months to start treatment.

Dr Camilla Kingdon, of the RCPCH, said: ‘Lengthy waits are unacceptable for any patient but for children and young people waits can be catastrophic as many treatments need to be given by a specific age or developmental stage.’

The Government said it was working to tackle the Covid backlog with record investment in the NHS.