Kids' waiting times: 24 potential cancer patients waiting over a year

A review into child health waiting times has revealed some shocking statistics.

The report from the Commissioner for Children and Young People found that 17,194 children were waiting more than a year for an appointment with a consultant.

24 children with suspected cancer waited over one year for an appointment.

510 children have endured a wait of over four years for a first consultant out-patient appointment.

‘More Than A Number - A Rights Based Review of Child Health Waiting Lists in NI’ 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 looked at the impact the lengthy delays had on kids and their families.

“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,” said Koulla Yiasouma, Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People.

She continued: “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.”

“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. Therefore, I have recommended an interim regional waiting list management process for child health services be established while overall reform is on-going.”

17 recommendations made

The Commissioner concluded said 17 recommendations for change have been made by the report.

These include a full review of the child health system to ensure that health and social care reform is based on an up-to-date understanding of need across the system, takes account of existing plans for the reform of children’s health services but also identifies where the gaps are.

“I am also calling for improvements in the visibility of, and accountability for, children’s health within key departments by ensuring that key high level dedicated posts are in place to oversee commissioning, policy and service delivery. One of which is the appointment of a Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Child Health,” she said.

“The commitments given by the current Health Minister to improve waiting lists and address the underlying issues which drive them is very welcome.

"It is important that the scope of the work is broad enough to cover all child health services.”