Autism charity has 18 YEAR waiting list for diagnosis

Oxfordshire Adult Autism Diagnostic and Support Service (OAADSS), based in Didcot, posted a stark message on its website: “We regret to inform you that as of 30th November 2024, we are no longer accepting new referrals for autism assessments and diagnosis. This includes GP referrals and self-referrals.”
It said: “The combination of a significant rise in referrals and a substantial real terms fall in funding have led to the decision.
“We feel we have no other option, given the size of our current waiting list of over 2,000 people. This will take us over 18 years to clear, therefore we cannot justify taking on any more referrals and adding to the length of time people are waiting for an autism diagnosis.”
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It added: “We are equally frustrated by having to make this decision. We ask that rather than direct your understandable dissatisfaction to OAADSS staff, please direct your concerns to Oxfordshire Commissioners and your local MP.”
Genuinely unbelievable – “We’ve totally stopped taking referrals and if you’re already on the waiting list it’ll be 18 years soz” https://t.co/FEZvMyNGkx
— Adam Kay (@amateuradam) December 6, 2024
The service, run by the charity Autism at Kingwood, provides adults with free autism assessments, as well as support post-diagnosis.
The announcement was shared on X by former doctor turned author Adam Kay, who lives in Oxfordshire.
Mr Kay, who wrote This is Going to Hurt about his frontline experience as a junior doctor, wrote: “Genuinely unbelievable – ‘We’ve totally stopped taking referrals and if you’re already on the waiting list it’ll be 18 years soz’.”
One social media user replied with a screenshot of an email she received about OAADSS about not taking on new referrals.
She wrote: “Already had my assessment and diagnosis but just received this email from the service I was going through when I lived in Oxford three years ago (still on the NHS). If you were to be referred now you’d have to wait until 2043.”
Autism at Kingwood provides supported living care for autistic adults. In 2018 the charity was commissioned and funded by what is now the NHS BOB (Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire & Berkshire) ICB (Integrated Care Board) to deliver adult diagnosis for adults living in Oxfordshire.
In 2018, it received £235k to deliver 150 diagnostic assessments by specialist psychologists, and to provide post-diagnostic support, limited one-to one support and an information and advice service.
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Since 2018, the rate of referral has increased significantly year on year, but the charity has received no increase in annual funding at all from the funder, despite repeated requests, it said.
In a statement Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West ICB said: “As commissioners of this service for adult patients we are aware of the organisation’s situation and are working with them to find a solution.
“The demand for autism assessments for adults in the UK has significantly increased in recent years.
“This rise is largely due to greater awareness and understanding of autism, leading more people to seek diagnoses.”