Autism and ADHD referrals paused over high demand

New referrals for autism and ADHD diagnoses for some children and young people have been paused over "unprecedented high levels of demand", a health trust has said.

Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT) confirmed the measure had been in place in parts of the region since 2 February.

The trust said it was "working hard" to minimise disruption.

SEND Alliance Cumbria (SENDAC) called it a "major and unexpected change" which would be "significantly worrying for many families", while Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron said the decision would "cause misery".

The measure means no new referrals are accepted for several age ranges in the following areas:

• For ADHD, Blackburn with Darwen and East Lancashire between the ages of 11 to 18, and Central and West Lancashire, Fylde Coast and Morecambe Bay and South Cumbria between the ages of five and 18
• For Autism, in Lancaster between the ages of five to 17

The LSCFT added it would also be unable to see children on existing assessment waiting lists.

It said it would be writing to families to advise them of the next steps.

SENDAC said it would be having an urgent meeting with the integrated care board (ICB).

The parent carer forum warned the pause could result in a cohort of children and young people whose needs "remain unidentified and unmet for a prolonged period".

"This decision will create distress, worry and uncertainty for families in relation to what this means for their children's future," it added.

Farron said the measure was "an appalling decision".

"To say that ADHD-suspected and autism spectrum disorder-suspected young people will not even be assessed to see whether they are or not is cruel to those children and their families," he said.

The Liberal Democrat MP urged the trust to continue to assess young people.

LSCFT chief operating officer Donna Robinson said the decision had not been taken lightly.

"Any new referrals for autism and ADHD diagnoses will be paused while alternative pathways are agreed and commissioned," Robinson added.

The Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB's chief commissioning officer Prof Craig Harris said a three-year programme to redesign the neurodevelopmental pathway for children and young people was under way.

He said the plan would help people based on "what they need, with or without a diagnosis".

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