New autism hub piloted in Seaham to help reduce assessment waiting times

The pilot hub, which is based at The Old Vicarage in Seaham, is being run by the mental health services for older people (MHSOP).

It offers people who could be autistic the opportunity to be assessed within the service - reducing the waiting time for receiving an autism assessment which in England can currently take up to two years.

The service is run by Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust who provide mental health and learning disability care.

Ashley Campbell is the community team manager covering Seaham, Easington, Peterlee and surrounding villages.

She said: “Too often, autistic people wait too long for recognition, assessment, and the right support. This pilot gives us the chance to change that narrative.

“Being a part of one of the first MHSOP teams to trial this nationally is both exciting and an opportunity to make a real difference.”

According to research from Kings College London, around 90% of middle-aged and older autistic adults in England are undiagnosed.

The pilot is led by Dr Jonathan Summerill, a clinical psychologist, with support from the wider team and the Durham Tees Valley Adult Autism Service, part of Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust.

Dr Jonathan Summerill said: “Autism is a lifelong condition. However, autism awareness – and acceptance – has grown in recent years. This means autistic young people are more likely to receive a diagnosis in their childhood than previous generations.

“Undiagnosed autistic adults may struggle to understand why they experience the world differently. Many experience mental health challenges. By offering assessments within the service, our team hopes to give people and their families answers.”

Seaham resident Alan, 66, was diagnosed as autistic by the service. He feels the diagnosis has “helped his family to understand him better” and for him to “receive mental health support”.

Alan added: “There’s so much rapport and care and they just understand me.”

Dr Jonathan Summerill, said: “Many people can go through life without knowing that they are autistic and therefore not having their needs being fully met.

“Providing people with a diagnosis can give them and their families many answers, including an increased understanding of themselves and how they can be best supported.

“Assessments are completed with two clinicians alongside the patient and their families. If the patient meets the criteria for diagnosis, we meet with the person to share the diagnosis with them and offer them post-diagnostic support.

“I am passionate about improving the inequalities that exist with older people. I am therefore keen for older people to be able to access an autism assessment just as much as anyone else. I have seen the benefits of offering an assessment for patients within the service so far.

“We are currently receiving feedback from patients, their families, and staff who have been involved in the assessment pathway. We hope that we can continue to increase access for older people wanting an autism assessment, and support other services to do the same.”