Unprecedented waiting times

Multi-year waits are being experienced all over the UK with few examples of sustainable practice.

people looking to access ND services are waiting longer than NICE's 13-week limit

Rapidly rising backlog

The gap between demand and capacity within the system goes beyond a workforce challenge and calls for innovation and transformation so that unavoidable delays to access are safely managed.

increase of people waiting for an autism assessment in the last 2 years

Escalating demand

Complexity and re-referrals are adding additional pressure to the escalating numbers seeking help for the first time.

Re-referral rates have increased by for young people (171%) and adults (165%) since 2022