Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
17,000 kids waiting over a year to see a consultant
Worries over impact of delays
MORE than 17,000 children and young people were waiting for over one year for a first consultant outpatient appointment, a review has shown.
The report, launched by Northern Ireland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People Koulla Yiasouma, found 17,194 were waiting over 12 months and 510 more than four years for a first appointment.
The review examined the number of children and young people on waiting lists and the length of time they wait to access first or review appointments with consultants, for treatment in hospitals and for community-based services. It also assessed the impact that waiting has on children and young people and their families.
Ms Yiasouma said: “A key part of this review was to gain a better understanding of health waiting times for children, through requesting information from the system that is not published in official waiting time reports.
“The report presents a concerning picture of the number and length of waits for services, this includes red -flagged first consultant outpatient appointments which are either confirmed or suspected cancers where we found that 24 children were waiting over one year.
“While the impact of waiting on a red flag or urgent appointment is clear, we know that delayed access to any specialist support, whether that be for autism diagnosis or support, CAMHS, physiotherapy or speech and language, can and does have a profound impact on a child’s health outcomes, emotional and mental wellbeing, educational attainment, relationships with family and friends and quality of life more broadly.”
CONDITIONS
One in every 47 children in Northern Ireland with conditions that require surgery or procedures are waiting for an in-patient or day-case appointment.
In April 2021, 62% (6092) were waiting over one year and 197 over four years.
The review also highlighted that one in five children and young people in Northern Ireland are waiting for a first or review outpatient appointment with a consultant. Ms Yiasouma said: “The stress and pressure on parents and carers as advocates for their child, experiencing delays in accessing healthcare is significant.
“A clear message from them was that communication, co-ordination and emotional and practical support is inadequate and needs to be improved. These are the most basic expectations of these services and are particularly important when waiting times are as long as they are.
“While these hospital care statistics are shocking at least we get a clear picture.
“Waiting times are one of the clearest indicators of a system under immense strain and unable to meet the needs of its population.
“We must strive to get to a point where all children and young people can get access to the right care, at the right time and in the right place and that no child is left waiting months or years in a queue to access services.”