Delays for autism and ADHD assessments in South Cumbria
Children and young people are waiting more than two years
Children and young people are waiting more than two years for autism and ADHD assessments in Lancashire and South Cumbria – a report has revealed.
The ‘Reporting from Committees: Escalation and Assurance Report’ prepared for the Lancashire and South Cumbria integrated care board (ICB) said there are ‘unacceptably long waits’ for autism and ADHD assessments in the region.
According to the report, demand has ‘risen exponentially’ in the last two years.
The report says: “There are unacceptably long waits in both children and adults for autism and ADHD assessments (over 2 years in CYP).
“The ICB has a statutory responsibility to organise an assessment (and post diagnostic care). This is a quality and financial risk as patients may deteriorate and come to harm whilst waiting.”
The document adds: “Linked to the long waits and rising demand the ICB is not currently meeting the SEND Code of practice and committee were alerted to several risks, there is a high risk that written statements of action will be issued by CQC and Ofsted during a SEND inspection.”
According to the document additional waiting list funding is required in 2024-25 to mitigate the waiting times risks and an end-to-end pathway redesign is underway for children and young people as well as adults.