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.