New figures from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) show that children as young as six are experiencing mental health crises and turning to A&E in England after being unable to access help elsewhere. The college described the trend as "deeply alarming" and called it a "scandal" that so many children are then left waiting, sometimes for days, in hospital before receiving appropriate care. The findings come ahead of a Government-commissioned review into ADHD, autism and mental health services, and doctors are urging ministers to prioritise prevention and earlier support in the upcoming Mental Health Strategy.

RCPCH's analysis of NHS England data, obtained under freedom of information laws, found that 75,491 patients aged six to 17 attended A&E with a recorded mental health concern in 2025, up from 55,525 in 2019 — a 36 per cent rise. The increase was steepest among six- to nine-year-olds, up 62 per cent over the same period. The number of children spending more than 12 hours in A&E rose from 1,964 to 6,235, while those waiting three or more days for suitable support and a safe discharge rose from 55 to 338. RCPCH officials, including Dr Sam Jones and Dr Ronny Cheung, warned that emergency departments were never designed for this role and called for urgent Government intervention to prevent children reaching crisis point in the first place.