BACCH Response to King’s Fund Report: 'What Does the Health and Care System Look Like for Children in England?'
October 2026: The British Association for Community Child Health (BACCH) is deeply concerned by the findings of a report by The King’s Fund, What does the Health and Care System Look Like for Children in England?, which highlight the growing and unacceptable delays faced by children and young people waiting for community health services.
Children should not be waiting months or years for assessments and interventions that are critical to their development, wellbeing and future outcomes. Many of our members will be working in services desperate to deliver better outcomes for our children and young people, but with insufficient resource and workforce in the face of demand to improve these waits.
BACCH is working as a member of the Children & Young People’s Health Policy Influencing Group (HPIG) to try to secure amendments to the forthcoming Health Bill. These proposals seek to strengthen accountability for child health inequalities, waiting times, investment and workforce planning. We hope these reforms will help ensure that children’s services are prioritised appropriately and contribute to reducing the unacceptable waiting times described in the King’s Fund’s report.
Full report by the King’s Fund: https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/long-reads/health-care-system-children-england
BACCH is the professional membership organisation for doctors and other professionals working in paediatrics & child health in the community. Read more about our work: www.bacch.org.uk
BACCH Response to King's Fund Report
