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<p>Nationally, we are taking steps to improve autism assessment and diagnosis services.
NHS England published a national framework and operational guidance for autism assessment
services on 5 April 2023. These documents are intended to help the National Health
Service improve autism assessment services and improve the experience for adults and
children who are going through an autism assessment. In 2023/24, £4.2 million is available
nationally to improve services for autistic children and young people, including autism
assessment services.</p><p>It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs)
to make available the appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their
local population, including autism assessments and diagnosis services, in line with
relevant clinical guidelines.</p><p>In respect of children and young people in County
Durham, the NHS North East and North Cumbria ICB has identified challenges with their
neurodevelopmental pathways, which include access to autism assessments and diagnosis,
and have prioritised a programme of work to address these challenges. The work will
look at new investment, capacity and needs, and ways to reduce the current backlogs.</p><p>In
addition, the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust is taking actions to
support improvements for families on the neurodevelopmental pathway, which also includes
autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, including running three pilots
to test different methods of improving the efficiency of the pathway. While families
are waiting to access a neurodevelopmental assessment, including for autism, they
can access the County Durham bubble of support, which provides advice and guidance
before, during and after assessment.</p><p>In respect of adults, keeping in touch
processes are in place locally to ensure regular contact is maintained with patients
awaiting assessment for autism, and to ensure that they are supported throughout the
pathway. Increasing support for adults on the neurodevelopmental pathway, including
pre-assessment support, is a priority for the ICB and local authority in 2024/25.</p>
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