My colleagues and I have written to the Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust to express serious concern about their decision to pause new referrals and halt progress on existing waiting lists for children’s ADHD and Autism assessments.Families have already faced long and distressing waits. A diagnosis isn’t a formality, it’s vital for accessing the right education, healthcare, and support. Pausing assessments leaves children and parents in limbo and risks widening inequalities between those who can afford private assessments and those who can’t.
We have also contacted the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to request immediate intervention.