CHILDREN endure “disgraceful” waiting times for NHS treatment as they are not considered a priority, a top paediatrician has said.

Dr Camilla Kingdon said there was progress on cutting waiting times for adults but not for young people, calling on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to appoint a dedicated children’s health minister to ensure that young people receive fair consideration in policy decisions.

The outgoing president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said: “We fear children are being left behind again in health policy and the wider political agenda.

“While there has been considerable progress in reducing wait times for adult treatment in recent months, children’s waiting lists continue to grow.

“If a child is waiting 52 weeks for treatment and they’re three years old, 52 weeks is a third of their life. I think it’s a disgrace.

“Children have to be prioritised in a way they haven’t been.”