12 Oct 2026
More than one in four children waiting for community health services in England have been on the list for at least a year, according to new analysis by The King’s Fund.
Using NHS England data for July 2026, the charity found that around 86,000 children and young people, 27% of those waiting, had waited at least 52 weeks.
The equivalent proportion for adults was 0.7%, making children around 38 times more likely to experience these long waits.
The gap has widened since February 2024. The proportion of children facing year-long waits rose from around 11% to 27%, while the proportion among adults halved.
Community paediatric services accounted for around 80,000 of the children waiting a year or more. These services assess and support children with disabilities or developmental conditions. Around 45% of their waiting list had waited at least a year.
The King’s Fund warns that delayed care can affect children’s development and wellbeing, while increasing pressure on families, schools and other services.
It calls for earlier support and a coordinated response across government, including action on poverty, housing, education and family support.
Kerry Booth, Chief Executive, Rural Services Network:
Children need timely access to care wherever they live. For rural families, this also means being able to reach appointments, with transport and distance taken into account.
Efforts to reduce waiting lists must address the challenges of recruiting and retaining staff in rural areas, so that children can get the support they need closer to home.
