600% rise in the waiting list for autism assessments

The waiting list for autism assessments in the Western Trust has increased by over 600% in five years.

The figures released by Health Minister Michelle O’Neill, showed 398 people on the waiting list in the Trust area.

She said: 'An additional £2 million investment will be made this year as part of the Trust’s recovery plans.

However, MLA Daniel McCrossan, said the investment isn't bringing down the waiting list. 

He said:  “I’ve had families, multiple families, contact me to say they’ve been told to wait up to 22 months for an autism assessment for their child.

“They wait six months and are still told waiting lists are 20 months. How can this be acceptable for some of the most vulnerable children in society?”

Mr McCrossan also questioned whether families were now part of a post code lottery system.

“Waiting lists in the Western Trust are almost ten times greater than the Southern Trust. Will families need a post code in Newry, Armagh or Dungannon in order for their child to be seen?”

In a response to concern over the waiting lists, Health Minister Michelle O’Neill said:

'The issue of waiting lists has been unacceptable to me since the day and hour I took up office and I have been working every day to deal with those issues.The Health and Social Care system has been working hard in recent months to tackle the growing waiting lists for Autism Services.

'While staff in all of the HSC Trusts have been carrying out additional assessments since April by reliance on overtime and additional hours, the unprecedented demand for autism assessments continues to increase.  The demand for assessments increased last year by 17% and this upward trend has continued into the current year.
 
'We need to deliver sustained improvements across the system and this means reshaping the way services are currently configured.  That is why the HSC Board has been leading on a project to design a new regional model for autism services.  This work is now at an advanced stage which will improve both the diagnostic process and access to early intervention in line with current best practice and NICE guidelines will be finalised.'