New analysis of NHS England data shows more than 260,000 children have spent at least three weeks in hospital during their childhoods, including 1,300 who stayed over a year.

Around 70,000 children spent more than two months in hospital, often despite being medically fit for discharge.

Children's Commissioner Rachel de Souza said delays are driven by shortages of community care, home nursing, suitable housing and specialist placements.

As a result, children miss out on family life, education and normal childhood experiences while hospital beds remain occupied.

The report calls for urgent cross-government action to improve support outside hospital, including expanding home care services and ensuring better coordination between health, housing and social care systems to enable faster, safer discharges.

‘For all the debate and attention given to hospitals, waiting times and social care, children are rarely mentioned,' said Dame de Souza.

‘Childhood is a short and precious time – so when a child spends months or even years confined to a hospital ward, not because they are too unwell to leave but because the right community support cannot be found, the system has failed.'