Children must now be in “crisis” before they can be referred for an autism diagnosis in the Bristol region following controversial rule changes by NHS bosses. Healthcare provider Sirona has introduced strict new criteria for who is eligible for its service after seeing a 350 per cent increase in young people waiting for an assessment over the past two years.
But horrified parents and carers say the move, which came “without warning”, is “monstrous” and will “cost lives”. They have launched a campaign group called Assess for Autism along with a crowdfunding appeal to challenge the decision in court – which is already over halfway to its £3,000 target in just one week.
Under the six-point criteria, which came into force on March 1, children will only be referred if they have “severe and enduring” mental health issues, such as being a high risk to themselves or others, are involved with youth offending, have very low levels of communication, are in care or on a child protection plan, or if their education or family is breaking down. Even those who are referred face a two-year wait to be seen in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG).
