NHS employers body NHS Providers is calling on the government to act amid concerns around long waiting times children are facing to meet their mental and physical health needs. It warns that demand for mental health services among children has more than doubled since the pandemic, with 562,840 young people waiting for services in March this year.

It has released a report, detailing the work of trusts in areas including Liverpool and London to improve access to support. The report states that “long waiting times not only affect children now but will also impact their future outcomes and life chances.” It stresses that many long-term health conditions begin in childhood, making early intervention crucial.