Children are facing a “hidden crisis” as they spend prolonged periods in hospitals, waiting for the necessary support to return home, according to recent research by the Children’s Commissioner for England. The study reveals that many children are experiencing delays in discharge, leading them to miss out on school and family life.

Analysis of NHS England data shows that a significant number of children, approximately 70,000, have spent two months or more in hospital, with 1,300 of them staying for over a year. Moreover, over 260,000 children have spent three or more weeks in hospital during their childhood.

The research indicates that children from the most deprived backgrounds are disproportionately affected, with a higher percentage spending more than three weeks in the hospital compared to their less deprived counterparts. Additionally, children from ethnic minority backgrounds are also more likely to experience extended hospital stays.

The Children’s Commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, highlights the challenges faced by children with complex medical conditions who are living longer due to medical advancements. However, she points out that the support services outside of hospitals, such as social care, housing, and home nursing, have not kept pace with the increasing needs of these children.

Dame Rachel emphasizes the urgency of addressing this issue, stating that children are often overlooked in discussions about healthcare and social services. She calls for a coordinated effort across government departments to expedite the discharge process for children and ensure appropriate support is available.

In light of her findings, Dame Rachel urges policymakers to establish a new cross-government initiative that integrates education, social care, and health services to facilitate the timely discharge of children from hospitals. She also advocates for improved paid leave for parents of sick children to prevent families from facing financial difficulties during their child’s illness.