Home / Health / Referrals for ADHD/Autism Extended for Young People
Referrals for ADHD/Autism Extended for Young People
2 Mar
Summary
- Referrals for ADHD and autism were halted due to high demand.
- The suspension of referrals has been extended to the end of March.
- Families with children awaiting diagnosis are being kept updated.
Referrals for ADHD and autism in young people will continue to be accepted, following a period of suspension by the Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT). This halt was attributed to unprecedented demand for assessments.
The trust had initially stopped accepting referrals for children without pre-existing mental health diagnoses. This suspension, originally planned to end by the close of February, has now been extended to the end of March.
LSCFT and the area's Integrated Care Board (ICB) stated that this extension aims to reassure families. They are committed to developing a sustainable framework to meet the needs for ADHD/Autism Spectrum Disorder assessments and treatment.
Parents and autism charities had expressed concerns regarding the referral pause, which left families uncertain about the next steps. The ICB is actively engaging with Parent Carer Forums to keep families informed about the evolving situation. Referrals for children with concurrent mental health needs remain unaffected.
