Autism Spectrum Conditions, Worcestershire
Download (PDF 640.41 KB)Summary of report content
In 2015 Worcestershire’s All Age Autism Strategy was approved by the Health and Wellbeing Board. The strategy sets out the objectives and outcomes for Autism services and support in Worcestershire in line with the national Adult Autism Strategy 2015 and the requirements set out in national guidance: Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives 2010. Updates about the progress of the All Age Autism Strategy are given to Worcestershire’s Health and Wellbeing Board with the next update due to be made in May 2018.
Healthwatch Worcestershire, in preparation for this annual update, spent 18 months gathering feedback from people with Autism Spectrum Conditions and their carers about their experiences of accessing healthcare services, information, support and diagnosis. They also looked at the current levels of awareness and understanding of Autism Spectrum Conditions within health services in Worcestershire and ways in which services are currently supporting and making adjustments for those on the Autism Spectrum.
The report suggests that in some cases, children, young people and adults have experienced long waits for diagnosis. Many felt that they did not receive adequate information about the process for diagnosis and adequate information to understand the diagnosis or what support would be available following diagnosis. The findings also suggest that people with Autism Spectrum Conditions and their carers did not feel they had been provided with enough information about support and services available and were unsure where to find this information.
On the whole, the findings suggest that people with Autism Spectrum Conditions and their carers do not feel that they currently receive the level of support that they need in relation to their Autism Spectrum Condition or their caring role. In particular a need for appropriate mental health support was identified. Some health services have identified useful sources of information and benefited from individuals’ experience and specialist knowledge. This has enabled them to provide appropriate support and adjustments to patients. Others felt that there is a need to raise awareness amongst staff and welcomed further training and information. Feedback from people with Autism Spectrum Conditions and their carers suggests the importance of all staff within services having an awareness and the positive impact this has made to individuals and their care.
Responses to the surveys for people with Autism Spectrum Conditions and their carers suggest that people with Autism Spectrum Conditions experience difficulties when going to the Doctors with making appointments, waiting to see the Doctor and communication during appointments. In particular they find it difficult to explain to the Doctor or nurse about the reason for their visit, the same issues were experienced when people had to attend Hospital.
There were a number of recommendations made against each priority are of the strategy explored in this project.