Overview

• The Care Quality Commission (CQC) warns that delays in healthcare access for children could lead to long-term mental and physical health issues.
• The report emphasizes disparities in healthcare access, with children in deprived areas facing greater challenges than those in affluent regions.
• Staff shortages, particularly in mental health services, contribute to prolonged waiting times and inadequate care for young patients.
• The CQC calls for urgent reforms, including targeted funding and improved management, to prevent future societal and economic issues.
• Inequities in dental care access have led to increased pressure on parents to seek private options for their children.