Thousands of children and young people in England are facing prolonged waits for NHS community health appointments, prompting renewed concern about access to timely care and support.

A report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) highlighted the scale of the problem, with around 80,000 children and young people waiting more than a year for appointments in community health services. The figure was reported by The Guardian on 23 October 2026.

The delays may affect children who need assessments, treatment and ongoing support during crucial stages of their development. Health professionals have also raised concerns about declining numbers of health visitors and school nurses while demand for services continues to grow.

The report highlights wider pressures across children's healthcare, including regional differences in hospital admissions for conditions such as asthma and diabetes, as well as high levels of tooth decay in some areas.

Although parts of the NHS have made progress in improving access to appointments and planned treatment, the findings suggest that children's community services continue to face significant challenges.

The report adds to the debate over how the NHS can improve paediatric healthcare access, reduce waiting times and provide earlier support for children and families. The findings concern England's health services rather than the whole of the UK.