For the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health, Sarah J. Clark, M.P.H., and colleagues asked a sample of 2,074 randomly selected parents aged 18 years and older about whether their children, aged 2 to 5 years, are afraid of going to the doctors. The report is based on responses from 726 parents.

The researchers found that half of parents reported their child is afraid of going to the doctor either at some or most visits (26 percent) or once in a while (24 percent). Among children aged 2 to 3 years, the most common reasons for being scared were fear of getting an injection (66 percent) and stranger anxiety (43 percent).

For children aged 4 to 5 years, overwhelmingly the most common reason for fear was the child being scared of getting a shot (89 percent). Other reasons in the older age group included stranger anxiety (14 percent) and negative memories of being sick (13 percent). Four percent of parents said they had postponed a vaccine for their young child because of fear of doctor visits.

50 Percent of Children Aged 2 to 5 Years Fear Doctor Visits

• Over half (54%) of children are worried or scared of visiting the doctor or hospital
• Nearly one in ten adults said that their childhood experiences of healthcare have negatively impacted on their mental health and wellbeing, which could mean as many as 4.8 million adults in the UK.
• 71% of settings have no designated budget for play resources
• Only 15% of Trusts and Health Boards have policies and procedures for play
• “I feel scared and no one understands me. I cry and get so upset. It’s frightening.”
• “I don’t like to talk about going to the hospital much because I get very nervous, especially if they need to take blood. I don’t like needles.”

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Most children and young people (82%) spent time in a waiting area while in hospital. Of these, almost 4 in 10 were not always able to get help if they needed it while waiting (30% were ‘sometimes’ able to get help, 7% were not able to get help).

Waiting was a big issue and when the survey asked what bothered children the most about waiting, 3 in 5 (61%) said it was how long they had to wait and 2 in 5 (41%) complained they didn't really know what was happening,

Most children and young people report a positive experience of hospital care, but improvements needed in some areas, and parents with concerns not always taken seriously - Care Quality Commission

Children's Experiences in Hospital Care Survey report published by CQC