NHS Tayside halts new CAMHS autism and ADHD referrals

BBC News

20-03-2025

NHS Tayside has stopped all new referrals for ADHD and autism to its Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) due to increased demand for assessments.The health board said the nationwide issue of a sharp increase in referrals for neurodevelopmental assessment had led to an "extensive" waiting list.It said it must "carefully consider" how it safely prioritised patients to ensure it carried out the primary role of the service, which was to assess and treat children with significant mental health concerns. "This change means that if your child does not have a co-existing mental health problem, we are unable to accept a referral for neurodevelopment assessment," the board added.
The new policy does not apply to young people who have already had a letter of acceptance to CAMHS or the neurodevelopmental pathway.It is unclear whether the halt is permanent or temporary. In a post on its Facebook page, NHS Tayside said: "While a formal assessment and diagnosis can provide a clearer understanding of certain patterns of behaviour, it is important to know that it is not necessary in order to access many forms of support, including additional support within school."We know that navigating concerns about your child's development can feel overwhelming, and we want to ensure you have the right support and guidance."
The health board provided links to online resources, including the Neurodevelopmental Parent Portal.The board added: "We understand that hearing the news about assessments may bring feelings of frustration, worry or uncertainty."However, we would recommend focusing on your child's individual profile - strengths and challenges and gaining an understanding of their individual needs."The Scottish government said in January that there had been a "significant increase in referrals" for autism diagnosis, which was putting pressure on an already-stretched NHS.It said that people were waiting too long for a diagnosis through the NHS but that it was working to improve access.Mental Wellbeing Minister Maree Todd told BBC Scotland News at the time: "A combination of factors, including a significant increase in referrals, means that some people are waiting longer than they should for a diagnosis."We invest £1m a year to provide community and support to autistic adults, including the Embrace Autism programme."Formal diagnosis is not required to access the support provided and we know that 78% of autistic adults supported have reported improved wellbeing as a result."