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SPOTLIGHT |
SPOTLIGHT |
A parent-carer-led campaign group has raised more than £5,000 with a view to bringing a judicial review challenge against the Integrated Care Board (ICB) of Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire over changes to the autism assessment criteria.
Access for Autism said it had “deep concern” over the changes made by the ICB, which is the organisation responsible for the day-to-day running of the NHS in the area.
Acting on behalf of the group, specialist law firm Rook Irwin Sweeney said a letter before claim had been sent and a “response is due by 26 April”.
The new Integrated Care Board agreed a policy in February which meant that children would only be assessed for autism and receive a formal diagnosis if their circumstances, health or family situation is in crisis.
The new assessment criteria is as follows:
On its Crowd Justice page, Access for Autism said: “As parents and carers of children with autism, we know first-hand the immense struggles families face in accessing the support their children need. The changes made by the ICB will only exacerbate these difficulties, leaving many vulnerable children and young people without the care and assistance they require.
“That is why we are launching this campaign to raise funds to bring judicial review action against the Integrated Care Board. We need to hold them accountable for their actions and ensure that they provide fair and equal access to autism assessments for all who need them.”
The campaign group have already reached their £5,000 fundraising target in order to engage specialist law firm Rook Irwin Sweeney.
In the letter before action, the following grounds of claim were submitted:
The letter went on to say: “We request that, within 14 days, the defendants:
Sirona Care & Health and Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB said: “We recognise that parents and carers have concerns about the referral criteria changes and we're sorry if this has caused additional anxiety for families.
“Our priority is always to ensure the best possible care for our children and young people but faced with a dramatic increase in demand for referrals in recent years, in common with other parts of the country, we have taken a clinically-led decision to prioritise access for children whose needs are greatest."
They added: "Alongside this, over the coming months we will undertake a system-wide review of services, working with partners to ensure neurodiversity is recognised and understood and the needs of children can be met without requiring a medical diagnosis.
“We will continue to work with parents and carers as we carry out this review and will continue to monitor the new criteria and consider what adjustments may be necessary.”
Lottie Winson