Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions his Department has had with representatives of Frimley Integrated Care Board on levels of demand for neurodevelopmental pathways for children in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Government has recognised that, nationally, demand for assessments for neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays for accessing such assessments. The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan will make the National Health Service fit for the future and recognises the need for early intervention and support.

It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including access to neurodevelopmental assessments.

Through the Medium-term planning framework, published 24 October, NHS England has set clear expectations for local ICBs and trusts to improve access, experience, and outcomes for autism and ADHD services over the next three years, focusing on improving quality and productivity.

The Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board and Mindworks, a children and young people’s emotional wellbeing, mental health, and learning disability service, have established a locally commissioned service covering Surrey Heath and Farnham. The Frimley Integrated Care Board contributes funding to ensure their local population benefits from this model.

As part of the specialist Mindworks neurodevelopmental pathway, a strengthened assessment of needs process is now in place, and a new ADHD clinical triaging tool has been developed and implemented.

Mindworks is also partnering with Psicon, a neurodevelopmental assessment and diagnosis service, to increase diagnostic capacity.