Worried and waiting: A review of paediatric waiting times in Scotland 2024

This report, published March 2024, provides an analysis of paediatric waiting times data in Scotland from October 2012 to September 2023. The report contains data on waits for paediatric outpatients, inpatients and day cases and outlines our recommendations on how to support the child health workforce to provide safe, timely and effective care.

RCPCH Scotland developed this report with the views of our members, children and young people (CYP), and their families. Children and young people told us that they are experiencing excessively long waiting times and, after the initial referral, many feel they are left with a lack of communication and feel forgotten. While waiting for their appointments, CYP want to be able to access support and advice at a local level and to voice their concerns.

Most of my time is spent waiting.

Young person, RCPCH &Us Voice Bank 2023

Worried and Waiting outlines three key recommendations:

  • The Child Health Workforce – A full review of the child health workforce must be carried out to ensure it is sufficiently resourced and funded to tackle waiting times
  • Data Collection – Improvement in the collection and utilisation of child health data
  • Access to Services – Improved access to and funding of primary care and cross-sector community-based services, resources and advice for children, young people and families to support their health and wellbeing

Read the report here or download from bottom of page


Individual Health Board data

Click the headings below to see additional data, not included in the report, for each NHS Health Board in Scotland. This data is presented by the number of waits of up to 12 weeks, of over 12 weeks and total.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran

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NHS Borders

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NHS Dumfries and Galloway

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NHS Fife

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NHS Forth Valley

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NHS Grampian

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NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

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NHS Highland

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NHS Lanarkshire

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NHS Lothian

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NHS Orkney

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NHS Shetland

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NHS Tayside

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NHS Western Isles

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