Children in Leeds waiting 'an eternity' for autism assessments as NHS referrals double

The NHS cannot cope with the number of people seeking assessments for autism, ADHD and other related disorders, councillors in Leeds have been told.
David Spereall, Local Democracy Reporter
By David Spereall, Local Democracy Reporter
Published 14th Jul 2023, 16:30 GMT
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Referrals to the health service for neurodiversity issues, which covers a broad range of developmental conditions and learning disabilities, have doubled since before the Covid pandemic.

It means children in particular are going years without specialist support they might be entitled to in school.

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The chair of Leeds’ health scrutiny board, Councillor Andrew Scopes, said these delays would feel like “an eternity” for the young people affected.

Aire Court Community Unit, at Lingwell Grove, Middleton, which, according to Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust's website, is where autism assessments take place in Leeds.Aire Court Community Unit, at Lingwell Grove, Middleton, which, according to Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust's website, is where autism assessments take place in Leeds.
Aire Court Community Unit, at Lingwell Grove, Middleton, which, according to Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust's website, is where autism assessments take place in Leeds.

The issue was raised at a meeting of the board on Tuesday.

Alison Kenny, from the Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The world of neurodiversity is quite challenging at the moment.

“In the last few years we’ve seen a significant increase in both children and adult referrals to neurodiversity services for assessments.

“The increase is about double in the last few years. It’s meant the capacity of services we provide, across Leeds and beyond, doesn’t have the capacity to cope with that increase.”

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