Summary
Tens of thousands of children in England are waiting over a year for NHS community services, like speech therapy and disability support. Health leaders say these long waits harm children's development and stress the need for more investment in community care. The UK government has a plan to improve access by boosting community services.
Key Facts
- Over 75,000 children in England have waited more than a year for NHS community care.
- Services affected include hearing support, speech therapy, and disability services.
- About a quarter of 300,000 children waiting face delays longer than 12 months.
- The UK government acknowledges the issue and plans to invest in community services.
- Parents, like Tiya Currie, sometimes pay privately due to long NHS waiting lists.
- The Royal College of Paediatrics reports similar delays in other parts of the UK.
- NHS leaders advocate for increased investment in community services to match hospital funding.
