MORE patients with suspected autism were waiting for a diagnosis in Dorset at the end of 2021, new figures show.

The National Autistic Society said “huge” numbers of people are waiting to be seen across England, with some potentially having to wait years for a diagnosis.

NHS Digital figures show approximately 440 adults and children referred to autism services in the NHS Dorset CCG area were waiting for an assessment in December. 

This was up from around 300 in December 2020.

Referrals can be made by GPs or other health professionals, as well as speech therapists and special education needs staff within schools.

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Tim Nicholls, head of policy, public affairs, and research partnerships at the National Autistic Society, said the figures are "huge" and is worried people will have to wait months or even years for a diagnosis. 

NICE guidance states an early and quick diagnosis is vital to autism treatment, and that all providers should aim to provide patients with their first appointment within 13 weeks of being referred. 

The number of patients receiving their first appointment before the 13-week target in Dorset fell in 2021, when roughly 1,230 people were seen within that time.

A spokesperson for NHS Dorset CCG said: ““We’d like to thank people for their patience and understanding at this time, as the NHS continues to experience extreme pressures on services and the workforce with the continuing Covid-19 pandemic. We are experiencing growing pressure on autism services not just in Dorset, but across the country.

“We’d like to reassure people that we are doing all we can locally with our available resources. At a local level, we are working proactively together with our partners to take practical steps to address these pressures.  As part of this, we are offering some additional support to services to enable them to manage waiting times for people in the short term. Additional signposting is available to people who are waiting, such as through our Local Offer, health and social care websites and to local and national support organisations.  

“At the same time, we are undertaking an All Age Autism Review to look at how we can improve our pathways for autistic people in the future, whilst also working on plans together with local people and communities to improve access to autism services, support and advice to help in the longer term.”