Changes to Autism assessment and paediatric services update
Autism Changes Update
Dear families across Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG),
We wanted to give you an update on our recent position statement and survey that we created to gather your views on the changes that have been made to the autism referral process by our local Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Sirona Care and Health.
We would like to say a huge thank you to the 313 families who took the time to fill out our survey and shared their experiences and concerns about these changes. The feedback is incredibly valuable and will help health services understand the impact of these changes on families. The feedback survey will be open until after Easter.
On March 16th, we wrote to the ICB to express your concerns and share your feedback. We are now waiting for an official response from the ICB. Families passionately believe that needs-based support should not come at the expense of a referral and potential diagnoses for those that seek it. Our goal is to ensure that the ICB fully understands the impact of these changes and that your views play an integral role in shaping local services.
We are keen to work across BNSSG with families, health, education, and social care to find solutions to the neurodiversity pathway that responds to and supports children and young people's needs alongside providing a diagnosis.
While we wait to hear back from the ICB please check out the information pages on each of our websites.
North Somerset
South Gloucestershire
We also run free neurodiversity support courses as do Bristol Autism Support, so please book a place on one of these courses if you require any help and support with your child's needs.
