Sarah Champion MP Urges Action to Address Delays in Autism Assessments

Sarah Champion has called for immediate action to reduce delays in conducting assessments for children with possible autism and neurodevelopmental disorders in Rotherham. In a letter to Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH), which delivers mental health services in Rotherham, Sarah argued that delays “risk an entire generation of Rotherham’s children …being left behind.”

Sarah’s letter comes after receiving a number of reports from constituents of extremely lengthy delays in conducting assessments, in many cases several years.

Commenting on these delays, Sarah said:

“Children cannot hope to access the care and support they need if they are forced to wait for many years simply for a diagnosis. The difference between receiving a diagnosis at an early stage or made to wait can be huge for their future development.’

‘Not receiving a diagnosis can mean inappropriate education placements, a lack of proper support and real difficulties for families. While some support is available, parents are quite rightly concerned that this is no substitute for an accurate diagnosis and targeted care. They are worried about the consequences for their children.”

Sarah continued:

“I am sympathetic for the difficulties that RDaSH faces. The Conservative Government have long claimed that they will assign mental health care parity with physical health care in the NHS. But they continue to starve the NHS of the funds it needs to deliver this.’

‘But these issues have been growing for some time and I am worried that, without a clear plan to address long waiting lists, the problem will only grow. I hope that RDaSh will take these concerns seriously and do everything they can to deliver the high standard of care children in Rotherham deserve.”