An independent review of how children with autism are dealt with in Cumbria has seen the NHS trust responsible come under fire.

Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust commissioned the report, which it hopes to use to drive improvements into children's diagnosis and management.

It builds upon comments by parents and health professionals alike.

While it praised the commitment of professionals from all agencies and their excellent working relationships, it highlights the lack of faith that families now have in the system.

Review author Dr Karen Horridge, paediatric consultant in disability from Sunderland, said parents found the care pathway lacks transparency, is inconsistent and takes too long to reach a conclusion.

Some premises where clinics are held are unsuitable for children, doctors are ill-equipped and the autism assessment has become "unwieldy".

Recommendations for improvements include:

  • Co-design the autism pathway and process with parents.
  • Develop plans to improve education and awareness of all services that come into contact with children and young people in Cumbria.
  • Agree an approach and develop plans to build multi-agency competency for all involved in the assessment, management and support of children and young people with autism spectrum conditions.
  • Develop a robust mechanism for care planning and support for families at the point of diagnosis.
  • Identify ways of strengthening partnership working with primary care to support those children and young people with autism spectrum conditions.

Dr Raj Verma, associate medical director/paediatric lead is leading a number of sessions with parents, clinicians and partners.

He said: “Thanks to this review, we know exactly where we need to improve and have some excellent recommendations for improvement that can be translated into various work-streams.

“Work is already underway to address the recommendations and a stakeholder event has also taken place in Penrith which enabled all individuals with links to autism to come together and present ideas to co-design an enhanced service pathway.

"This event marked the beginning of robust parent involvement in future developments of the service and the new pathway, which will individualise autism assessment to ensure early intervention and support is the best it can be.”