Health body make u-turn over ADHD and ASD referrals for children in Lancashire after outcry
Health bosses have made a u-turn over a decision to pause new diagnosis referrals for children and young people with suspected autism and ADHD.
Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT) made the announcement last week, “due to unprecedented high levels of demand.”
Additionally, it said it would be unable to see children who are on the existing assessment waiting lists and will be writing to families to advise them of this and the next steps for them.
The decision caused uproar with families, and attracted criticism from local MPs, including 10 who wrote an open letter to Donna Robinson, chief operating officer at LSCFT. The letter said the announcement would cause “deep anxiety for families who have already endured long and distressing waits”, and said a pause in taking referrals was an “unconscionable step”.
LSCFT said the position “was not reached lightly and had been under discussion with the Integrated Care Board (ICB) for some time”, but that in the past few days, Trust “has had proactive conversations with the ICB and has confirmed it will continue to accept referrals for this service as the ICB work to confirm a commissioned framework by the end of February.”
A statement continued: “The Trust will then review the ICB proposed framework and assess the impact this will have on the current unacceptably long waiting times for children and young people. To clarify, there has been no change to the commissioned mental health pathway for children and young people who have a mental health need and also require ADHD/ASD assessment and treatment.
“Sorry for any distress”
“We have been engaging with Parent Carer Forums across Lancashire and South Cumbria and through them, we know that families have been concerned about the situation. We are sorry for any distress that this may have caused. We hope this announcement will be reassuring, and we will continue to work closely with the Parent Carer Forums as important strategic partners.
“The Trust remains committed to working alongside the ICB with our clinical teams and looks forward to receiving a sustainable commissioned and funded framework to meet the needs of children and young people requiring ADHD/ASD assessments and treatment where there is no additional mental health need.
“The Trust and the ICB have a shared ambition to positively transform services for children and young people who need assessment.”
Reaction
Preston MP Sir Mark Hendrick said this was “a welcomed and much‑needed decision”, but added a note of further concern. He said: “However, in recent days I have heard from many families in Preston who remain deeply worried about the length of current waiting lists.
“As highlighted in our joint letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, we are committed to working with the Government to reduce these delays and ensure that children and young people receive the timely support they urgently need.”
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