Thousands of children now waiting for assessments as paediatricians warn of crisis in community care

THE NUMBER of children waiting for Autism and ADHD assessments in west Wales has soared by hundreds of percent, with clinicians warning that delays are placing vulnerable children at risk and stretching public services to the limit.

Figures released by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) show that since 2018, the number of children in the Hywel Dda University Health Board area waiting for an Autism Spectrum Disorder assessment has increased by 781%. ADHD referrals have also risen dramatically — up by 331% over the same period.

Waiting lists for general community paediatric services in Hywel Dda have also risen, though more modestly, increasing by 4.1% from 1,477 in 2018 to 1,538 in 2025.

The data, published this week in the RCPCH’s report Collaborative Healthcare in Wales: Delivering the Services Children Need in the Community, highlights a worsening picture for families across west Wales. It also shows that the scale of the crisis is not limited to one area.

In neighbouring Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board, the number of under-18s waiting for neurodevelopmental services rose from 2,173 in 2023 to 3,391 by January this year — a rise of more than 56% in just two years.

Community paediatricians, who lead services supporting children with complex medical and developmental needs, are sounding the alarm. They warn that a chronic lack of funding, staff shortages, and rising demand have pushed services beyond safe capacity.

Across Wales, thousands of children are now on waiting lists for vital care delivered outside of hospitals — including assessments for autism, ADHD, and speech and language difficulties. These services are typically delivered in clinics, schools and local hubs, aiming to support children earlier and closer to home.

In some parts of Wales, demand has more than doubled in the past five years:

Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board saw a 1016% increase in community paediatric waiting lists, from 805 in 2018 to 8,986 in 2025.

Cardiff and Vale reported a 302% increase in waiting lists alongside an 8% drop in paediatricians.

Swansea Bay’s waiting list rose 112% since 2020, with average wait times now 80 weeks.

Powys reported a 112% rise in neurodevelopmental service referrals since 2022, with just three community paediatricians covering the entire county.

The RCPCH has called on the Welsh Government to urgently prioritise investment in children’s health services. It says the aim of delivering care closer to home is being undermined by long waits, inconsistent access, and a growing gap between policy and practice.

The report also highlights wider systemic problems — including poor transitions from children’s to adult services, an over-reliance on formal assessments, and increasing pressure on families forced to navigate fragmented services without support.

Doctors have warned that without urgent action, the impact on children’s lives — including their mental health, education, and future wellbeing — will be severe. The report notes that children with unmet health needs often face long-term disadvantages, with serious consequences for wider society and public finances.

The RCPCH says the system must move away from reliance on goodwill from overstretched NHS staff and invest in early intervention, better staffing, and coordinated support across services.

SPECSAVERS has launched a new audiology service in Wales, supporting people across South East and South West Wales, from Fishguard to Caerphilly, who are unable to visit their high street stores.

The new team of hearing experts will provide free home hearing checks to those who cannot leave their homes unaccompanied. The service is being led by audiology directors Andrew Williams and Matthew Maguire, who have joined forces with the existing optics Home Visits team to expand services beyond eye care.

It offers the full range of hearing services available at Specsavers stores – from hearing checks and wax removal to hearing aid fittings.

Audiology director, Andrew Williams, comments: ‘We’re thrilled to bring this service to Wales, helping people who might otherwise struggle to access quality hearing care – whether due to mobility issues, mental health or the challenges of old age.

‘To be the first Specsavers team in Wales to deliver this type of service is a key milestone and one we’re proud to be leading. We’re looking forward to getting to know the local community and bringing essential support to those who need it most, right where they feel safest and most comfortable.’

Customer service director, Alison Warren, who has led the optics team since it first launched 11 years ago, adds: ‘After months of planning, it’s fantastic to see this new service up and running. The impact of at-home appointments goes far beyond clinical care. For many of our customers, especially those living alone, we might be the only face they see that week.

‘It’s not just about hearing aids or eye tests, it’s about connection, dignity and taking the time to really be there for someone.

‘Having Andrew and Matthew join the team means we can bring that same level of care to people’s hearing needs too and that makes a real difference to their quality of life.’

To mark the launch, colleagues from across Wales came together to celebrate at their new office in Palmerston, Barry. The occasion was an opportunity to raise awareness of the new service and highlight the positive impact it aims to have across the region.

For more information or to book an appointment, call 01446 508128 or visit the Specsavers website: https://www.specsavers.co.uk/home-hearing-tests.

GPs across Wales are being trained to better recognise the symptoms of endometriosis as part of a national initiative to improve women’s health and reduce diagnostic delays.

Endometriosis affects one in 10 women in Wales and is a key priority in the Welsh Government’s Women’s Health Plan, launched six months ago. The condition—often painful and difficult to diagnose—can significantly impact women’s daily lives, careers, and relationships.

The new expert-led training programme, delivered through Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), has already led to a 43% increase in participating GPs’ knowledge of endometriosis. It has also improved their confidence in discussing symptoms and treatment options with patients.

Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Sarah Murphy, said: “Women have told us they feel unheard and their symptoms dismissed. This training helps ensure women’s voices are at the heart of their healthcare, empowering GPs to provide better, more responsive care.

Endometriosis can have a devastating effect on women’s lives. Through our Women’s Health Plan, we are committed to delivering real improvements and tackling inequality.”

Dr Mirka Slavska, obstetrics and gynaecology consultant at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, who led the training, said:

“We were pleased to deliver training that covered differential diagnosis, referral pathways, and the latest diagnostic and treatment options.

We also introduced the Endometriosis Cymru symptom reporting tool. The positive feedback we received underlines the importance of practical, up-to-date training for frontline healthcare professionals.”

Endometriosis is one of eight priority areas identified in the Women’s Health Plan, which aims to improve care and support for women and girls across Wales. Since the plan’s launch in December 2024, key milestones include:

Early-stage work to develop a women’s health hub in every health board area by March 2026

Establishment of Wales’ first Women’s Health Research Centre, funded by Health and Care Research Wales

A dedicated research call focused on communication in women’s healthcare

At the Everywoman Festival in Cardiff today (Saturday, 7 June), Dr Helen Munro, Clinical Lead for Women’s Health in Wales, provided an update on the development of the new health hubs:

“Meeting women’s needs throughout their lives will be at the core of our new women’s health hubs. These hubs will bring together professionals and services in community settings, with local population needs and existing infrastructure shaping their design and delivery.”