Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Health to detail any steps his Department is taking to reduce waiting times for an autism diagnostic assessment.
Minister of Health: My Department is undertaking a number of actions in an effort to improve waiting times within a financially constrained environment.
My Department published the Children and Young People’s Emotional Health and Wellbeing Framework. This Framework proposes an approach to neurodiversity which is inclusive and aligned to the needs of children and their families.
My Department is currently working with partners to develop a regionally consistent neurodevelopmental pathway. This work will also assist in evaluating service capacity, scoping out workforce requirements and clarifying areas for future transformational investment.
A dedicated Project Lead for Adult Autism was appointed in March 2025. Following their appointment, they have worked with Trusts to map current diagnostic and support pathways, and explore steps that can be taken to manage waiting lists and reduce variation across the region within existing resources. This builds on recommendations identified following the 2023 review of adult autism services and will help to optimise existing delivery and standardise service provision across Northern Ireland.
Department officials meet monthly with HSC Trust Heads of ASD Services. These meetings are structured separately for adult and children’s services and provide a forum where professionals can participate in regional discussion to explore demand-capacity challenges and consider further opportunities to optimise existing pathways.
HSCTs are responsible for the provision of Autism Services and are undertaking a number of actions locally in an effort to improve waiting times for diagnostic assessment for children and young people. This has included delivering additional assessment clinics, partnering with independent sector providers to provide additional diagnostic assessment capacity and developing Early Intervention Services (EIS) which provide timely, needs-based support for children/young people and their families while awaiting autism assessment.
ENDS
Your MLA 