POW-DAP2-62213-NEURODEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENTS

The Neurodevelopmental (ND) service in Powys provides an assessment and diagnosis service for children and young people with a potential neurodevelopmental disorder. The process within Powys has been considered in line with DSM-V, The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance and in adherence with Guidance on the Delivery of ND Services in Wales (Standards) (2018). It is informed by The Autism Code of Practice (2021). The ND service objective is to provide a timely, high-quality child-centred neurodevelopmental assessment using a multi-disciplinary MDT approach to facilitate sound decision making in supporting diagnosis for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This process will be in line with national standards and measured accordingly. There is a single point of referral (including self-referral) to the neurodevelopment service. The service is hosted by PTHB but incorporates partnership working with PCC, the third sector and other relevant stakeholders. The PTHB children and young peoples (CYP) ND service has experienced an increase in referral demand for diagnostic assessment of ASD and ADHD since its inception in 2018, compounded by the COVID pandemic. The service is required to satisfy a Welsh Government (WG) ND diagnostic assessment 26 week referral to assessment (RTA) waiting time target but Powys has insufficient workforce capacity to meet current demand. To address the RTA waiting list in part, externally delivered multi-disciplinary, bilingual assessments are being procured.