Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: Israelis in the Gush Dan area and al-Quds were asked to enter shelters immediately
Sirens sound in Tel Aviv and occupied al-Quds after a missile was launched from Yemen
Sheikh Qassem: We are ready to defend ourselves if 'Israel' attacks us in a way that we believe calls for us to defend ourselves
Sheikh Qassem: "Israel" will never be handed over our weapons
Sheikh Qassem: He who refuses so and accepts humiliation, that is their own business, but for us, we will not accept humiliation. We have made great sacrifices, and our strength has helped us achieve this result
Sheikh Qassem: Be patient with the issue of exclusivity of arms with the state in the face of the great danger that will not spare Lebanon; let us speak with one voice and work for the sake of priority
Sheikh Qassem: Lebanon faces three real dangers: 'Israel', ISIS tools on the eastern border, and US tyranny
Sheikh Qassem: Today, we are faced by an Israeli threat and Israeli arms that can be used elsewhere, and this is the greatest danger threatening Lebanon
Sheikh Qassem: The US administration is coordinating the war with 'Israel' and working to expand it in the region
Sheikh Qassem: They want to prevent any action that could constitute resistance to 'Israel's' expansion in the region and to strike anything that could pose a threat to it

Children's wait for medical care in the UK grows alarmingly: NHS

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The Independent
  • 19 Feb 2023 15:12
4 Min Read

About 3,000 children were waiting for more than 18 months to receive care in November alone, while more than 15,000 were waiting for more than a year. 

  • x
  •  National Health Service (NHS) leaders and doctors warn that adult care is being prioritized over children’s. (Getty Images)
    National Health Service (NHS) leaders and doctors warn that adult care is being prioritized over children’s. (Getty Images)

The latest data from the UK's National Health Service (NHS) revealed that the backlog of children receiving medical care increased by 50% over the past two years. 

According to figures, at least 364,000 children are waiting their turn to receive treatment, while another 200,000 are in urgent need of medical care.

"Lengthy waits are unacceptable for any patient, but for children and young people, waits can be catastrophic, as many treatments need to be given by a specific age or developmental stage. It is not the same as for adults," Mike McKean, vice president of policy at the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health told The Independent.

"If you miss the right window to treat a child or wait too long, the consequences can be irrevocable," he added, noting that the intensive care capacity was being "pushed to the limits."

Since April 2021, backlog figures have been increasing at unprecedented rates, reaching up to 48%. 

In November alone, about 3,000 children were waiting for more than 18 months to receive care, while more than 15,000 were waiting for more than a year. 

Surgeries are being rescheduled several times or canceled due to shortages of staffers or beds at the NHS. 

Read more: Sunak confirms over £2.3bln package to be sent to Ukraine in 2023

A six-year-old child who was referred for brain surgery in November had her procedure canceled in January due to shortages in staff, states the report.

"The surgeons, anesthetists, operating department staff, porters, recovery staff, and countless others are all assembled, but they haven’t got enough specialist pediatric intensive care nurses to safely cover the intensive care unit.," the mother of the child told The Independent. 

"They explain that this regional intensive care unit is busy, and some children can’t be moved because they’re still too ill. The surgical teams have each been making the case for which of the poorly or high-risk children should have tonight’s intensive care bed. It will not be our daughter."

Related News

UK NHS doctor grieves nephew slain at Gaza food distribution point

England’s hospitals may cut 100,000+ jobs amid cost-cutting directives

A week ago, the NHS division in England said that pediatric providers were experiencing "significant pressures in emergency departments and pediatric intensive care units."

They also reported a shortage in bed availability. 

"On the ground, it feels like it has gotten worse, not better because there has been no specific funding for recovery to cover the disproportionate increase in complexity," said Dr. Michael Absoud, clinical academic at the Department of Women and Children’s Health at Kings College London.

According to NHS leaders, since telephone and written referrals are not accounted for in the data, the number might be far greater than what is officially reported.

One source told The Independent that they believe the backlog had risen by 70% in some specialties over the past two years. 

The Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health warned that pediatric services would not figure in the government’s forthcoming plan for the NHS.

The College reportedly called on the government to launch a separate program to deal with children's health. 

Read more: Dependence of British households to food banks on the rise: Study

Like the rest of European countries, the UK has not been spared from an energy crisis that spiraled into a cost of living crisis.

All sectors, including public health services, have been severely impacted by the effects of the crisis. 

Since late last year, nurses and ambulance workers have been striking separately on and off. However, earlier this month, nurses and health workers held their largest-ever strike in a pay dispute that the health minister said would put additional strain on the National Health Service.

Health workers want a pay increase that reflects Britain's worst inflation in four decades, but the government says it would be unsustainable, causing more price increases, which would raise interest rates and mortgage payments.

  • NHS
  • Healthcare
  • United Kingdom

Most Read

Algerian nurse stabbed in Germany

Murder of Algerian nurse in Germany sparks outcry, demands for justice

  • Europe
  • 14 Jul 2025
Credible reports, including some from Israeli media itself, indicate that Tel Aviv had pinned its hopes on what can only be described as a delusional plan. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Jebraily: Iran strikes rewrote regional deterrence rules - Exclusive

  • MENA
  • 15 Jul 2025
Al-Qassam Brigades fighters confront Israeli soldiers in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

3 Israeli soldiers killed amid Gaza battles: Israeli media

  • Palestine
  • 14 Jul 2025
Al Mayadeen: UN Palestine Inquiry members reportedly resigned

Exclusive: UN Palestine Inquiry members reportedly resigned

  • Politics
  • 15 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
George Abdallah: Europe's longest-held political prisoner to be freed
Politics

Georges Abdallah: Europe's longest-held political prisoner to be freed

A still from the video released by al-Qassam Brigades, which reads, "Captivity is better than death", on July 17, 2025 (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)
Politics

Al-Qassam releases video warning Israelis: Captivity better than death

Georges Abdallah attends his trial in Lyon on July 3, 1986 (Social Media)
Politics

'A symbol for every prisoner': Hezbollah hails Georges Abdallah

Plume of smoke rise following an Israeli airstrike on the southern Lebanese town of Qabrikha, July 17, 2025 (Social media)
Politics

'Israel' kills mother, father, injures 10-year-old daughter in Lebanon

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS