The rise in the number of people in England waiting for diagnosis and treatment of autism and ADHD has led to a need for a reorganization of services, including involvement from agencies outside the health and care sectors. The number of people with suspected autism waiting for specialist appointments reached a record high of 172,022 in December 2023, a more than fivefold increase since 2019. The average wait time between referral and first appointment was nine months, with some areas experiencing waits of over two and a half years. In 2019, the average wait time was four months. This highlights the urgent need for improved access to specialist services.
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Autism and ADHD place “unprecedented” demand on NHS
