How long is the wait for the first appointment?

The service continues to increase the number of face-to-face appointments with video / telephone consultations available when clinically appropriate.

A clinical priority booking system remains in place.

Priority one:

These are pre-school children, children who move into year 6 while on the waiting list, those at risk of exclusion and safeguarding / looked after children.

The target wait to first assessment is 18 weeks.

Priority two:

All other children who fall outside of the priority one remit.

The longest wait is approx. 67 weeks, but this may change depending on demand and capacity.

What is the cause of the delay

• Increasing demand for ASD assessment and complex health care needs.
• A 60% increase in accepted referrals on the previous year.
• National and local shortage of Community Paediatricians.
• Growing population.

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