Autism and ADHD referrals extended after halt
PA MediaADHD and autism referrals for some young people will continue to be accepted after a halt blamed on "unprecedented" demand.
Last month Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT) said it had been forced to suspend referrals for children who did not have an existing mental health diagnosis.
Initially the trust said referrals would be accepted again until the end of February while a permanent solution was worked on. This has now been extended to the end of March.
LSCFT and the area's Integrated Care Board (ICB), which commissions health services, said they hoped the news would be "reassuring to families".
Parents of children awaiting diagnosis and autism charities had raised concerns over the move, which left families without clear answers on next steps.
A spokesman for the health organisations said: "The ICB will continue to engage with Parent Carer Forums across Lancashire and South Cumbria and through them, keep parents and carers updated."
They added ADHD and autism referrals for children and young people who had mental health needs were not affected.
"The ICB and the LSCFT remain committed to working in partnership and we look forward to achieving a sustainable commissioned and funded framework to meet the needs of children and young people requiring ADHD/Autism Spectrum Disorder assessments and treatment where there is no additional mental health need."
