See also Autism Provision by NHS Primary Care Trust 2012.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 – INFORMATION REQUEST (444/12)

 

Your request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 has now been considered and I can confirm that NHS Nottingham City does hold some of the information you have requested.

 

1.            How many adults you have with a diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder (any, although if there are separate statistics for Asperger’s, HFA, LFA, they would be appreciated) in your area;

We do not an accurate number of people with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder but based on national estimates, we estimate the local prevalence to be 3179 for all ages and 2667 who are 15 and over. This estimate includes people who also have a Learning Disability. Those with an IQ of above 70 is estimated to be 1590 for all ages and 1333 for those who are 15 and over.

 

The Aspergers service has currently got 163 people on their caseload.

 

2.            How many children;

Public Health is currently completing a needs assessment in relation to ASD prevalence across Nottingham City. When this is complete we will be in a position to give a firm estimate, the data to answer this question is not currently available.

 

3.            What diagnostic services are available to a) adults and b) children;

a) adults

An adult with a learning disability can be assessed for ASC by the Community Learning Disability Teams. If the person does not have a learning disability they can be referred for an assessment by the Aspergers service which is managed by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.

 

b) children

Children may currently be referred to a Community Paediatrician or Clinicians within the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services for a diagnosis. Generally the diagnosis is confirmed via a multi-agency assessment and as a minimum the following professionals would be involved:

•             General practitioners

•             Health visitors

•             School health

•             Education

•             Social care

•             Occupational therapists

•             Speech and language therapist

 

4. What agencies or teams you have that work with autistic people, provide support/services, strategies, etc.

Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust provides specialist services for people with autism spectrum conditions.

 

5. An email address/website for each of these agencies or teams where possible.

http://www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/

 

6. What the typical process should be for an adult in your area first asking their GP for an assessment for autistic spectrum disorder to receiving a diagnosis/support.

If the person has a Learning Disability as well, they would be referred to the CLDT, as mentioned above. However, if not, they would be referred to the Nottingham City Aspergers service.

 

I hope that this answers your request. However, if you have any queries or concerns then please contact me. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

 

If you are unhappy with the way in which your request has been handled, NHS Nottingham City has an internal review procedure through which you can raise any concerns you might have.  Further details of this procedure can be obtained by contacting:

Lucy Branson, Company Secretary

NHS Nottingham City, 1 Standard Court, Park Row, Nottingham, NG1 6GN lucy.branson@nottinghamcity.nhs.uk

 

If you remain dissatisfied at the conclusion of any review you may write to the Information Commissioner, who will consider whether NHS Nottingham City has complied with its obligations under the Act, and can require NHS Nottingham City to remedy any problems.  You can find out more about how to do this, and about the Act in general, on the Information Commissioner’s Website:www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk.

 

Complaints to the Information Commissioner should be sent to:

Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.

 

Kind Regards,

 

Freedom of Information lead

Governance Department