20/02/2025
Cost-cutting measures like this only serve to exacerbate the challenges that people who need a diagnosis to receive support face. In the long run, that same lack of support is highly likely to result in increased strain on health services and overall HSCP resources.
Content warning: mention of suic1de
Yesterday we read the heartbreaking news about hscpaberdeenshire sharing their plans to close the Autism and ADHD assessment pathways.
Like many of you we are absolutely devastated to hear this. Both of us have worked incredibly closely with Aberdeenshire HSCP – Marion on the creation of the Autism pathway, and Flick on the Aberdeenshire Autism strategy of which the pathway was a key component. The loss of this vital service – being blamed on lack of Scottish Government funding – is a false economy and in their own risk assessment the Aberdeenshire HSCP acknowledge that it may cost them additional monies and cause strain on other services. The HSCP also acknowledge that these services are not fit for supporting Autistic people and ADHDers needs.
We are dismayed that the Integrated Impact Assessment does not fully reflect the full destructive impact this will have on our community. We strongly feel that they underestimate the negative effects this will have on the lives of Autistic children as well as adults.
The report acknowledges the high rates of suic1de and suic1dal ideation within the Autistic community (words slightly altered to avoid limited reach), and our below average life span. It acknowledges that access to an assessment has a preventative effect for many, yet despite this they are still recommending the pathway closes in order to save money.
Their suggestion that Autistic people feeling suic1dal can access 3rd sector support – which is also woefully under funded to the point of being practically non existent in the area – is shockingly ill-informed.
Accessing private assessments is set out as an alternative in the report, but the funding required is massively prohibitive, especially for a group who they also acknowledge are under employed.
A lack of access to a diagnostic pathway will negatively impact access to ADP, employment support, increase drop out rates of tertiary education, and in many cases, our life expectancy.
We strongly urge the Aberdeenshire HSPC to reconsider this action. We also urge anyone living in the Aberdeenshire area to contact their local councillors to raise their concerns over this decision. We have long been able to be proud of the model as an example of good practice in letting Autistic people self refer. While much work needed to be done to reduce waiting times, getting rid of the service entirely is not the way forward in supporting our vulnerable community.
Flick and I created a petition, l1nk in comments. We will also do our best to engage with the Aberdeenshire HSPC to encourage them to reverse this decision, and provide the kind of support our community needs to thrive.
Maggie Chapman pressandjournal Audrey Nicoll MSP Evening Express Station House Media Unit northsound1 Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership healthandcare.scot BBC Scotland STV News Karen Adam MSP Maree Todd MSP
