A PLAN to clear the backlog of assessments for autism in Kirklees within a year is now being rolled out, it has been revealed.

Speaking during a Parliamentary debate on the issue of lengthy delays in diagnosis, Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox revealed that some families in her constituency had been waiting more than two years for a diagnosis.

Leading the debate today, Mrs Cox described how the new plan from the two Kirklees clinical commissioning groups would quadruple the number of diagnoses that can take place each month.

Without a diagnosis, funding and support for children is not available and this has led, Mrs Cox told Parliament, to parents having to pay privately to get a diagnosis.

She said: "It is really important to underline the scale of this problem, and the consequences of it.

“You only have to meet a handful of parents to realise the unbelievable pressures these waiting times put them under. Diagnosis is a critical milestone for people on the spectrum.

“It helps individuals take control of their lives and can unlock access to essential support and services. It can be just as important for parents, family members and friends, enabling them to better understand what is happening to their loved ones.”

National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidance says it should take no longer than three months between being referred and being seen for diagnosis.

Mrs Cox welcomed the plan in Kirklees to address the backlog and called on the Government to ensure that NHS England collects and monitors autism diagnosis waiting times.

After the debate, NHS North Kirklees and Greater Huddersfield CCGs confirmed they had agreed plans to reduce waiting times for autism spectrum condition (ASC) assessments in Kirklees.

The CCGs have invested around £340,000 to fund an increased number of ASC assessments over the next 12 months.

Last year, both CCGs acknowledged the long waiting time being experienced by many and highlighted their determination to make improvements to the service for young people and their families.

Dr Andrew Cameron, local GP and CCG lead for mental health said; ‘This is a welcome step in the right direction. The investment means we can start to tackle the current waiting list by offering a greater number of assessments.

"It has taken us some time to find a provider with the capacity and expertise to carry out these assessments and I know this has been frustrating for parents and carers. However, we now have a process in place and can begin offering the extra assessments this April.

"As well as investing in extra capacity, the CCGs are looking at how the assessment services can be improved in the longer term to meet national guidance and NICE recommendations.

"In order to manage the waiting list, priority will be given to those who have been waiting longest. The service provider, South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust will be writing to a number of patients each month with further details.

"Access to ASC assessments is an issue across the country, not just in Kirklees. The thorough diagnosis process contributes to this. In Kirklees, the number of children being referred to the service has increased faster than anticipated."