MSP claims issues surround backlog of adult autism spectrum referrals
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An north-east MSP has claimed that NHS Grampian potentially faces a 32-year backlog of adult autism spectrum referrals.
A freedom of information request has disclosed around 850 patients are waiting for an assessment by Adult Services across the north-east.
Only 55 were assessed in the last two years.
There are no nationally-set targets for adult cases but the board says an adult “could expect to wait over two years before their assessment.”
Aberdeenshire West MSP Alexander Burnett is the co-founder of the Scottish Parliament’s cross-party group on autism.
He has backed a report calling for all health and social care partnerships to create an “adult neurodevelopmental pathway strategy and planning group.”
The recommendation, one of 10 made by the National Autism Implementation Team (NAIT) based at Queen Margaret University, was accepted by then SNP Minister Kevin Stewart on March 24.
And the Scottish Conservative MSP has urged new minister Maree Todd to outline additional support for local diagnosis.
He said:“Across the Grampian health board area, autism assessment times for younger people are being managed effectively.
“And in the past, 50 adults being seen in a year would be seen as average.
“But there has unquestionably been a massive increase in adult referrals which use the same limited resources available to NHS Grampian and the health and social care partnership.
“The lack of any nationally-agreed standards or assessment time expectations could mean that both boards and patients are flying blind.
“I ask the Minister to meet the board and myself along with local elected members, to outline how adoption of the NAIT recommendations will work for the north-east, and whether diagnosis teams will be getting any extra support to drive the backlog down.”
In response a spokesperson for NHS Grampian said: “We categorically do not recognise the discrepant claims of a ‘32-year backlog’ in adult autism referrals.
“Such unsubstantiated claims – that take figures out of context – can create undue stress and anxiety for patients at an already difficult times in their lives.
“The service came into existence and started seeing patients in July 2021. During its initial period fewer cases were assessed due to the ongoing pandemic and its effects.
“As awareness of the service has grown, the number of referrals has increased greatly.
"During the last 15 months the number of patients seen, and the team capacity have both increased.
“While waiting times are longer than we would like, we would reassure patients that they are not remotely near the level claimed.
"The average waiting time for a diagnostic appointment for Autistic Spectrum conditions - including autism and Aspergers – in the last two years has been 322.4 days.
With the steep rise in referrals the current wait is now more than two years, and we are continuing to take action to improve this.
"We will continue to communicate directly with our patients about their individual wait."
