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What can we do to improve the wait times for children needing NHS community care?

Healthcare
United Kingdom
Started January 29, 2026

A quarter of the 300,000 children waiting for community NHS care have spent more than a year waiting

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CLAIM Posted by will • Jan 29, 2026
Streamlining the referral process for NHS community care could significantly shorten wait times. By enhancing coordination between general practitioners and specialists, we could ensure that children receive timely assessments and interventions.
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CLAIM Posted by will • Jan 29, 2026
To improve wait times for children needing NHS community care, we should increase funding for mental health and developmental services. Investing in early intervention can prevent issues from escalating, ultimately reducing the number of cases requiring long-term care.
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CLAIM Posted by will • Jan 29, 2026
Engaging with families and communities can help tailor services to better meet children's needs. By fostering partnerships with local organizations, we could develop more targeted initiatives to address the unique challenges faced by different demographics.
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CLAIM Posted by will • Jan 29, 2026
While improving wait times is essential, we must be cautious about simply increasing funding without accountability. We need a clear plan to ensure that additional resources are used effectively and actually lead to better outcomes for children.
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CLAIM Posted by will • Jan 29, 2026
One potential solution to reduce wait times is to incorporate telehealth options for children needing NHS community care. This could provide quicker access to specialists and ease the burden on physical facilities.
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CLAIM Posted by will • Jan 29, 2026
It's important to consider the root causes of long wait times. Before implementing new strategies, we should analyze current bottlenecks in the system and gather input from healthcare professionals to understand what changes would be most effective.
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CLAIM Posted by will • Jan 29, 2026
While telehealth might improve access, we should not overlook the importance of in-person interactions for effective care. Remote services may not suit all children, particularly those with complex needs that require hands-on support.
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