May 18, 2024, BBC News: Children face two-year wait for autism assessment
Children and young people in Lancashire and South Cumbria are facing "unacceptably long waits" of more than two years for autism and ADHD assessments, a report has revealed.
The Reporting from Committees: Escalation and Assurance Report said demand in Lancashire and South Cumbria had "risen exponentially" since 2022.
It warned that patients "may deteriorate and come to harm whilst waiting".
Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) said it acknowledged the waiting times were not compliant with NICE recommendations and a review was being carried out.
'Mitigate risks'
The report, which was prepared for the health board, said: “There are unacceptably long waits in both children and adults for autism and ADHD assessments (over 2 years in CYP). . . .
The document added that the ICB was "not currently meeting the SEND Code of Practice" and there was a "high risk that written statements of action will be issued by CQC and Ofsted during a SEND inspection". . . .
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