The SoR has welcomed a report from NHS Providers, which found children and young patients are at risk of becoming a “forgotten generation” in the health service.
The pandemic has had “unique and significant impact” on this group, the report, entitled Forgotten Generation: Shaping better services for children and young people explains, exacerbating trends of child poverty that are increasing the frequency and complexity of childhood pathology.
NHS Providers, a membership organisation for NHS trusts in England, emphasised the need for collective action, prioritising a focus on early years support and prevention, as well as setting a national strategy to improve access, experiences and outcomes.
Helping young people feel secure
Dean Rogers, director of industrial strategy at the SoR, said the report was welcome for a number of reasons.
“There is a general concern here that our members reflect – young people especially need time, patience and understanding, and pressures that drive this out of planning and delivery are bad for patients and ultimately generate inefficiencies,” he said. “This includes thinking hard about neurodiversity and other adjustments to especially help young people to understand and feel secure in their treatment pathways.”
He added that the report highlights the impacts of waiting times and access on all groups.
Mr Rogers said: “It is certainly good to see this being highlighted by [NHS Providers] to a new government.”
The transition from children to adult services is “especially critical”, according to Mr Rogers, who added it is likely those impacted by the transition around Covid will be especially vulnerable to these systemic challenges.
'Critical for the long term future'
“Children most impacted by being isolated during secondary school closures and exam pressures who have underlying health issues will now also be transitioning from children to adult services for these treatments,” he explained. “This needs to be recognised by all the practitioners supporting them. Our members pick up on this in delivery of treatments.
“Young people’s experience of health is also critical for the long term future of the NHS – they are the future workforce as well so the current workforce need the resources, training support and tools to give them a positive experience that encourages them to consider working in the NHS.”
NHS Providers is calling for NHS England to undertake a full review of transitions between paediatric and adult services to understand where there are common gaps.
It is also seeking an increase to the public health grant to restore the provision of key services, such as health visiting and school nursing, which support children and young people.
Responses and methodology
NHS Providers developed the findings of its report through a survey of NHS trusts. The survey was open from April to May 2024. It received 134 responses from 95 unique trusts, accounting for 45 per cent of the provider sector.
It received responses from a mix of leadership roles, including chairs, chief executives, strategy directors, chief operating officers and directors of children and young people’s services.
All regions and trust types - including acute, community, mental health and ambulance - were represented in the responses.
(Image: Dean Rogers)