Adults with autism in England are being denied appropriate
support because councils and NHS bodies lack information on them,
the National Audit Office said
today in a stinging
report.
The study found most local authorities and NHS organisations did
not know how many people with autism were living in their area and
that they "lacked understanding" of the condition.
It also said increased investment in specialist services for
people with the condition could lead to cost savings over the
long-term.
A survey conducted by the NAO found that only 18% of local
authorities and NHS organisations were able to say how many adults
with both autism and learning disabilities were known to
services.
No commissioning strategy in most cases
It also found that around 75% of councils did not have a
specific commissioning strategy for adults with autism. In
addition, 80% of GPs surveyed said that they needed more training
and guidance in order to identify and treat patients with autism
more effectively.
Edward Leigh MP, chair of the House of
Commons'
committee of public accounts, to which the NAO reports, said
that services were not being properly planned and that many adults
with autism were slipping through the net as a result.
He added: “Many GPs and social care staff have a low awareness
of autism and the needs of those with the condition.”
Specialist services urged
Leigh called on the Department of Health to look at developing
specialist social care, health and housing support services for
adults with autism.
The NAO said this would cost an estimated £40m a year but over
time the costs could be outweighed by public expenditure
savings.
It also strongly criticised the lack of support offered to the
estimated 200,000 adults with autism who do not have a learning
disability.
Ineligibility
Around three-quarters of local authorities admitted that this
group experienced difficulties in accessing the services they
needed as they were often ruled ineligible.
Only 10% of councils and NHS bodies surveyed said that they had
commissioned ongoing specialist support for this group, despite
evidence showing that such services would help them to live more
independently in the community and prevent long-term health
problems.
Response from campaigners
The report comes with Parliament considering an Autism Bill that
would require the government to produce statutory guidance on the
identification of adults with autism, by putting its forthcoming
adult autism strategy on a statutory footing.
Though it started as a private member's bill, sponsored by
Conservative MP Cheryl Gillan, the
government effectively took over the legislation
last month by pushing amendments to incorporate the strategy
into the bill.
The National Autistic Society said it was vital that the
strategy reflected the NAO's criticisms.
Government 'must undertake study'
The charity's chief executive, Mark Lever, said: “The government
committed, over a year ago, to doing a prevalence study on the
numbers of adults with autism. This has not yet happened and
urgently needs to be undertaken.”
He added: "Neither the government, people with autism nor the
taxpayer are getting value for money from existing autism services
and support, leaving those affected by the condition feeling
isolated, ignored and often at breaking point. This is simply
unacceptable."
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