Families brand NHS Tayside decision to stop autism and ADHD diagnoses as 'dangerous'

The decision by NHS Tayside to stop assessments and diagnoses for autism and ADHD has been branded as “dangerous” by parents.

Last month, the health board announced that it would no longer accept referrals through Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services due to long waiting lists.

Young people with a pre-existing mental health condition would still be able to access assessments for autism and ADHD through the health board.

Families looking for support would be directed to online groups and other services.

Donna Ploatner’s youngest son was diagnosed with autism when he was five years old – he was on the waiting list for an ADHD assessment.

While he’s supported for his autism, she’s worried he might not be able to get the support he needs for his ADHD.

Donna Ploatner and Ruth Alexander STV News

She added: “I think it’s more probably going to be around supports for medication that he will really struggle to access without us going down the private route.

“I know many parents who are down that private route and have got shared care with medication, but many don’t, and that again is an individual thing down to surgeries or GPs, even.

“So even having a private diagnosis doesn’t guarantee the NHS will pay for your medication.”

Ruth Alexander spent more than £4,000 on a private diagnosis for her daughter – an expense she knows not all families can afford.

She’s concerned by NHS Tayside only taking referrals for children who have a pre-existing mental health condition.

She told STV News: “The general feeling is it’s just a short-sighted move, and it’s storing up problems for the future, and it’s not going to help anything in the long run because young people who did not have pre-existing mental health conditions will develop them as a direct result of this, and that feels really foolish. It’s dangerous.”

Angie Ferguson, Perth Autism Support STV News

Since referrals were closed, charities have been busier than ever with parents seeking help.

Angie Ferguson, of Perth Autism Support, said: “None of us are disputing the fact the neurodevelopmental pathway is not mental health and doesn’t necessarily sit very neatly within a CAHMS service, but the feeling has definitely been there could have been an alternative or plans for how that’s going to be offered in a different way before the announcement was made, before parents recieved letters through the post advising them their referals wouldn’t be accepted.”

NHS Tayside previously told STV News that they are still accepting referrals but have “refined” the criteria for the neurodevelopmental pathway.

Adding that their teams have spent the last 12 months changing the focus from diagnosis to needs-based support.

But for many families across Tayside, they’re concerned about getting the right support without a diagnosis.

NHS Tayside has said the changes will mean that the highest risk children and young people with mental health conditions will be seen in a “responsive, effective service in a timely way”.

Meanwhile, children and young people who do not have a mental health condition will be able to access other forms of support and intervention.

A spokesperson for NHS Tayside said: “It is accepted that this change may cause distress and concern for some families.

“We are very keen that all our partners and families of children and young people are involved in taking forward care models which offer the best options and outcomes for everyone.

“We accept that not all our partners were fully engaged in our change plans before a communication was sent out and we apologise for that.

“We are fully committed to working more closely with our partners, children and young people and their families, as well as Scottish Government, in the future as we look at further pathways of care for neurodevelopmental needs.

“A short life working group has been established to take this forward and a meeting has been arranged in early May with colleagues in local authorities, education services and children’s services. Scottish Government colleagues will also be attending.”