A recent report has disclosed that waiting lists for children's healthcare services have escalated to unprecedented levels.

The latest report from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) paints a troubling picture of the state of children's outpatient services, revealing that waiting lists have surged by 172% over the past seven years, reaching an unprecedented high of 22,272 children. This marks a 22% increase in just one year.

Dr. Ray Nethercott, RCPCH Officer for Ireland, described the situation as a catastrophic failure, highlighting that delays in treatment can result in irreversible damage to children's health. The report underscores that such delays are particularly perilous as certain treatments have critical windows during a child's development.

The Department of Health has acknowledged the crisis, admitting that the waiting lists are unacceptable and stressing the necessity for sustainable transformation and multi-year funding to address the issues. Contributors to the report have noted that prolonged waiting periods jeopardize not just the physical and mental health of children but also their educational outcomes and overall well-being.

In essence, the report serves as a severe warning about the consequences of deprioritizing young patients, stressing that immediate action is essential to prevent long-term impacts on this vulnerable population.

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/