Updated statement regarding referrals for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

16 February 2026

Last week, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT) confirmed they were unable to continue to accept referrals for the uncommissioned autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) pathways where no additional mental health diagnosis exists for children and young people. This position was not reached lightly and had been under discussion with the Integrated Care Board (ICB) for some time. Patient care is our priority, but without a sustainable model for children and young people, the Trust could not continue accepting referrals.

However, during the past few days, the Trust has had proactive conversations with the ICB and has confirmed it will continue to accept referrals for this service as the ICB work to confirm a commissioned framework by the end of February. The Trust will then review the ICB proposed framework and assess the impact this will have on the current unacceptably long waiting times for children and young people.

To clarify, there has been no change to the commissioned mental health pathway for children and young people who have a mental health need and also require ADHD/ASD assessment and treatment.

We have been engaging with Parent Carer Forums across Lancashire and South Cumbria and through them, we know that families have been concerned about the situation. We are sorry for any distress that this may have caused. We hope this announcement will be reassuring, and we will continue to work closely with the Parent Carer Forums as important strategic partners.

The Trust remains committed to working alongside the ICB with our clinical teams and looks forward to receiving a sustainable commissioned and funded framework to meet the needs of children and young people requiring ADHD/ASD assessments and treatment where there is no additional mental health need.

The Trust and the ICB have a shared ambition to positively transform services for children and young people who need assessment.

Chris Oliver, Chief Executive - LSCFT
Aaron Cummins, Chief Executive - LSCICB

As of Monday 2 February, due to unprecedented high levels of demand, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT) is no longer accepting new referrals for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnoses for children and young people.

Additionally, LSCFT will be unable to see children who are on the existing assessment waiting lists and will be writing to families to advise them of this and the next steps for them.

Donna Robinson, Chief Operating Officer at LSCFT, said:

“Patient care is our priority, and this decision is not one that has been taken lightly. It is however necessary to establish improved ways of working, and LSCFT and the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), along with wider system partners, remain committed to working together to support discussions around any future sustainable arrangements.

Any new referrals for autism and ADHD diagnoses will be paused while alternative pathways are agreed and commissioned.“

This pause applies to those children in the following areas with the following conditions:

ADHD

Blackburn with Darwen and East Lancashire area between the ages of 11 to 18.
Central and West Lancashire, Fylde Coast and Morecambe Bay and South Cumbria between the ages of five to18.

ASD

Lancaster between the ages of five to 17.

Professor Craig Harris, Chief Commissioning Officer and Accountable Emergency Officer for the ICB, added:

“Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB has begun a three-year transformation programme to redesign the neurodevelopmental (ND) pathway for children and young people.

The aim of the ND pathway is to ensure that the needs of children and young people are met from the earliest possible stage without a diagnosis being necessary to access support. The plan will help people based on what they need, with or without a diagnosis. This is known as ‘needs-led care’ and will support people getting to the right service for them.

We hope that this development will improve the situation for everyone. This initiative seeks to address the challenges that parents, carers, children and young people experience such as obtaining timely access for autism and ADHD assessments, integrating and joining up services, ensuring consistent post diagnostic support and ensuring that children and young people will have an equitable service across Lancashire and South Cumbria.”

You can find updates on this development on the ICB website, which will involve parents and carers as well as children and young people.

Whilst we work though the improvements, if you require access to support, please see the ICB website.

We appreciate that this update brings a degree of uncertainty for parents and carers and apologise for this. We are working hard to minimise any disruption and anticipate that the proposed new model for neurodevelopmental pathways will be a much-needed improvement to neurodevelopmental support in Lancashire and South Cumbria.

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Updated statement regarding referrals for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Previous Statement - 12 February 2025