Agenda item

The Panel received a report on the work of a project team which was scoping the possibility of a Berkshire wide Ageless Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) service.  The work would deliver an options appraisal of how to improve clinical care and holistic support for people and their families with autism or ADHD.

There was an identified pressure from the growth in demand for services relating to autism and ADHD and the six Berkshire local authorities and two Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) were jointly funding the study.  The CCGs had begun scoping a potential Berkshire wide service which would be informed by the demand and usage of services.  The Panel discussed the timetable for the project and it was noted that the work to establish data, gaps and options would take six months and would be followed by a decision on the potential commissioning of any new service.

Members discussed how the hub might operate and stressed the importance of ensuring that the services were accessible to Slough residents.  It was responded that the location and shape of the service was not yet determined and would emerge from the scoping exercise and consultation with service users and stakeholders.  It was recognised that there was increasing demand for services due in part to improved diagnosis and it was important that services responded to the diagnosis demand.  The demand patterns hadn’t previously been modelled and the study would therefore help inform the future support services.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the Panel agreed that it supported the work of the study and that a report on the options and outcomes be received at a future meeting.

Resolved –

(a)  That report be noted.

(b)  That the Panel endorse the work being undertaken to scope the service for an ASD / ADHD All Age Autism Hub.

(c)  That the Panel receive a further progress report in 2018-19 on the outcome of the scoping exercise.