Adult autism on the agenda for Healthwatch and council scrutiny board
Healthwatch Calderdale will be presenting our work on improving services for adults with autism to members of a Calderdale Council Scrutiny Panel.
Members of Calderdale Council’s Adults Health and Social Care Panel on Thursday 14 November and Councillors will be asked to look at the current service of diagnosis and support for adults with autism and consider if changes or improvements can be made for the benefit of all.
Last year 136 adults were referred for an autism diagnosis and 4 people obtained a diagnosis of autism.
Through Healthwatch Calderdale’s work, and that of its NHS Complaints Advocacy, we have heard from adults who tell us they experience a range of difficulties accessing suitable health and social care services.
Issues have included, but are not limited to, the following:
- Difficulties accessing a diagnostic assessment
- Long waiting lists for assessment without indications of timescale
- Difficulties accessing a second opinion
- Lack of post-diagnostic services in Calderdale
- Low levels of autism awareness among professionals and in services
- Reasonable adjustments not being understood or put in place
- Lack of access to appropriate mental health care and support
- No general advocacy services available for support
- Very little support for families and carers of adults with autism
We have made recommendations based on or work with people with autism and we will be sharing their views with the panel.
The public meeting takes place at 5pm on Thursday 14 November at Halifax Town Hall.
You can read our report and the response from health organisations by clicking here