Mental health trust needs more capacity to carry out autism and ADHD assessments

The desperate shortfall in resources to allow the local mental health trust to carry out autism and ADHD assessments was laid bare by local MP Lisa Smart in parliament– at current rates it would take at least 12 years to clear the waiting list.

The Trust is commissioned to carry out just 100 autism assessments and 88 ADHD assessments each year, with around 1,600 people currently ADHD waiting list. The Hazel Grove MP challenged Health Secretary Wes Streeting to change the governing protocols to make them work for patients. 

Liberal Democrat Lisa Smart said: “This is driving constituents to seek private diagnoses, but their GPs then refuse to sign up to a shared care arrangement, as the numbers just do not add up. 

“The Government should be reviewing the shared care protocols so that they work for patients and GPs.”

Having spoken to the health trust team – which is led by a local constituent, Clare – highlighted the way the system stops the different teams from working together for people effectively. 

Lisa added: “Mr Streeting’s answer – that ‘we are looking at those issues with urgency’ might sound good, but it’s not delivering, and we are now 18 months into this Labour Government, and patients need action now.”