Children’s surgery waiting lists hits record high as NHS fails to tackle spiralling backlog

Hospitals are failing to tackle spiralling children's surgery waiting lists as the backlog hits more than 400,000 for the first time.

Leaked documents show children’s waiting lists for both inpatient and outpatient care are “increasing at double the rate of adults” and, despite efforts, services have failed to catch up after they were paused during the pandemic.

NHS leaders have repeatedly raised concerns about the backlog amid warnings that services for young people have been “deprioritised” to cut adult lists.

One NHS leader warned that the long waits would be likely to affect some children’s “ability to lead full and active lives” and worsen existing inequalities between adult and children’s care.

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Source: The Independent, 11 May 2023