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The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Sheffield Health and Social Care Trust that provided an overview of its Sheffield Autism and Neurodevelopmental Service and defined the two separate pathways for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism in adults.

In attendance were Holly Johnson, Clinical Psychologist, Robert Verity, Clinical Director, Alison Eggington, Service Manager, Adele Rowett, Head of Service and Liz Tooke, Transformation and Delivery Manager (ICB).

The report described the waiting times for the pathways, and the work undertaken to reduce waiting times and provide support to people whilst waiting.

The Sheffield Adult Autism and Neurodevelopmental Service (SAANS) is commissioned to provide diagnostic assessments and post diagnostic follow up for autism, and ADHD assessment and medication for ADHD where there is a co-occurring diagnosis of autism.

Demand nationally for autism and ADHD assessments had risen exponentially.  In 2018 the demand for ADHD referrals was 200 per year.  Currently the demand for ADHD assessment was around 200 per month.

The numbers of people waiting as at the ends of July 2024 was:

·       ADHD: Sheffield 3,616 (2,250 on screening and 1,366 on wait list), national referrals 4,298 (2,361 on screening and 1,937 on wait list).  3,832 of these were Derbyshire (DDICB) service users and would be transferred back to Derbyshire at the end of October, once they had their own provision service in place.  This would greatly affect the waiting list positions.

·       National referrals could come as ‘right to choose’ options, or from the Derbyshire (DDICB) contract that was due to end in October 2024.

The Autism service workforce model was multi-disciplinary, and psychology led.  The service had been successful in attaining the commission target for Sheffield which was 600 assessments and 1,200 follow ups per annum.  There had been a reduction in referrals received from Rotherham, Doncaster and Barnsley due to the introduction of their local autism provision.

At the end of July 2024, the number of Sheffield residents waiting for an autism assessment was 996 with an average wait time of 65 weeks.  This had halved in the last 12 months as Sheffield patients had been offered 80% of appointments.

Following member questions, it was noted that there was a workshop on 15^th October to speak to people about ‘Waiting Well’.  It was recommended that a working group be established to consider the finding of the workshop. It was agreed that a report should be submitted to the committee in the first instance to look at the scope of the working group.

Resolved: That the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee: -

1.    notes the report and support the continued programme of work to improve the experience and quality of service for autistic people and people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD);

2.    establishes a working group to look into the findings of the workshop on ‘Waiting Well’ on 15^th October;

3.    requests a report to be submitted to a future meeting to consider the scope and remit of the working group.