Mark Whitehead 30 May 2023

Community services for children ‘under extraordinary pressure’

Community services for children ‘under extraordinary pressure’ image
Image: pogonici / Shutterstock.com.

Children are being put at risk as vital community services struggle to keep pace with demand, health leaders have warned.

The NHS Confederation says services are under ‘extraordinary pressure’ with some children and young people facing long waits for essential speech and language therapy, autism diagnoses and community paediatric services.

A survey found on average children had to wait 40 weeks for an initial assessment and a further 32 weeks for treatment.

The confederation, the membership body for organisations that commission and provide NHS services, says there must be co-ordinated action and investment by the Government to deal with the problem.

In a recent survey it found more than three quarters of community provider leaders were ‘extremely concerned’ about the impact of long waits for children and young people’s services.

Almost nine in 10 respondents reported that current waiting times for initial assessment and treatment had increased compared to before the COVID pandemic.

The confederation’s chief executive Matthew Taylor said: ‘Children and young people’s community services are now under extraordinary pressure, and we must see them given the same level of priority as the elective backlog, coupled with action from across government.’

Sign up here to recieve our free daily news and jobs bulletin.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Chief Executive

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation
up to £165,000
Ebbsfleet is one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects, a 21st-century Garden City Ebbsfleet, Kent
Recuriter: Ebbsfleet Development Corporation

Virtual School Inclusion Support Officer

Essex County Council
£32768.0000 - £38550.0000 per annum
Virtual School Inclusion Support OfficerPermanent, Term Time£32,768 to £38,550 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Business Development Officer

Essex County Council
£36341.0000 - £42754.0000 per annum
Senior Business Development Officer - Integrated Passenger Transport UnitFixed Term, Full Time£36,341 to £42,754 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Adults Social Worker - Neighbourhood Team

Essex County Council
£37185 - £50081 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid Working
Interview dates
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Investment Marketing and Web Officer CDC

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 8, £33,708 - £37,399
The postholder should be experienced in planning social media activity, refreshing web content and analysing their impact. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council
Linkedin Banner