July 18, 2019, Shropshire Star: New service aims to cut autism assessment waits in Shropshire https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/health/2019/07/18/new-service-aims-to-cut-autism-assessment-waits-in-shropshire/ A new service has launched in Shropshire which aims to reduce the amount of time children have to wait for autism assessments. It comes as it emerged more than 130 children across the county have been waiting over a year for assessments to be completed for autism, and some are still waiting after 24 months. … She says it has become 'normal' for children to wait years to be seen, yet this can cause some of them to develop mental health issues. … "If you speak to adults with autism, they are quite clear that timely diagnosis makes a difference. … Health commissioners have confirmed there are 196 young patients in total on the waiting list in Shropshire and 110 in Telford & Wrekin. Resolve Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) raised concerns regarding the number of children waiting for autistic spectrum disorder assessments, which led to urgent meetings taking place between the trust and health commissioners. MPFT, which provides the autism assessment service, said all relevant health and care organisations are working together to resolve the issue. …
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