In West Yorkshire, we have committed to deliver a more consistent approach for our population when it comes to their Right to Choose and Patient Choice for Autism/ADHD assessment and diagnosis.
Once the professional has deemed a referral is clinically appropriate for Autism and/or ADHD assessment, at this point shared decision-making should take place for an assessment provider with the individual and the GP. This will enable meaningful choice of the individual’s preferred assessment provider (restriction criteria and challenges may impede decisions and actions).
In West Yorkshire, we are hearing of confusion and difficulties from individuals, parents/carers, health care providers and commissioners.
As part of the West Yorkshire neurodiversity programme, we have identified the need for information to be readily available for our population and professionals to help guide decision-making and to improve knowledge, which also highlights possible future challenges that people could be faced with. This requirement has also been highlighted by the recently published Patient Choice guidance by NHS England.
Using co-production values and our collaborative networks which include independent providers we have dedicated workstreams to help move this work forward together for our West Yorkshire population.
