Thousands of children are spending months or even years unnecessarily in hospital due to delays in arranging the right support for discharge, according to new research from the Children's Commissioner for England. The report describes a 'hidden crisis' where children miss out on school and family life while stuck on wards.
Analysis of NHS England data reveals that 70,000 children spent two months or more in hospital, with 1,300 staying for over a year. More than 260,000 children spent three or more weeks in hospital during their childhood. The report highlights that children from the most deprived backgrounds are more than twice as likely to experience long stays compared to those from affluent areas, and ethnic minority children are also disproportionately affected.
Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said: 'For all the debate and attention given to hospitals, waiting times and social care, children are rarely mentioned. Childhood is a short and precious time – so when a child spends months or even years confined to a hospital ward, not because they are too unwell to leave but because the right community support cannot be found, the system has failed.'
Dame Rachel was inspired to investigate after meeting a young girl living in hospital because her parents could not or would not take her home, and social care had not taken responsibility. 'She did not attend nursery. She didn't leave the ward. Instead of cuddles and a bedtime story with her parents at night, she saw only medical staff. Her story is one of a total systemic failure and a breach of her rights. And she is not alone,' she said.
The report calls for a new cross-government scheme to coordinate education, social care, and health to help children leave hospital sooner. It also urges improved paid leave for parents of sick children to prevent financial hardship. A government spokesperson responded: 'Every child deserves the chance to grow up surrounded by family, friends and the everyday moments of childhood – not stuck in a hospital ward when they don't need to be there,' and highlighted investments in hospices and children's social care reform.
