Publication, Part of Autism Waiting Time Statistics
Autism Waiting Time Statistics - Quarter 2 2019-20 to Quarter 1 2020-21 and Quarter 2 (July to September) 2020-21
Experimental statistics, Official statistics in development
Methodological change in calculation of waiting time rates
The following change affects only the rate of completion of an initial care contact within a specified time for individuals with a referral record for suspected autism in MHSDS.
In August and September's releases, the waiting time measures ASD03, ASD04, ASD05, ASD06, ASD07 and ASD08 were all calculated from the denominator ASD02 (number of referrals for suspected autism in the reporting period that have a first care contact recorded). This has now changed and the above listed measures are now calculated from the denominator ASD01 (number of referrals for suspected autism in the reporting period).
10 December 2020 09:30 AM
Summary
These statistics present two measures of waiting times for autism spectrum disorder diagnostic pathways:
• Waiting time between referral and first care contact for patients with suspected autism
• Waiting time between referral and diagnosis for patients diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder
Each of these measures contributes to an overall picture of waiting times for diagnostic pathways. Both approaches are outlined in the methodology section of this publication.
These are experimental statistics and are published to involve users and stakeholders in their development to build in quality and reliability at an early stage.
Highlights
During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, an effect is beginning to appear in the quality and coverage of some of our statistics. We are starting to see differing patterns in the submitted data. Therefore, data should be interpreted with care over the period of the pandemic. For the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are now undertaking some early analysis and reporting to help with monitoring of any impact using existing finalised MHSDS data as well as provisional MHSDS data. The true nature of the impact COVID-19 has had on autism waiting time statistics will not be understood in full for some time.
Waiting time from referral to first care contact
There were 7,466 referrals for suspected autism in quarter one 2020-21 (the latest data), of which 8% had their first care contact within 13 weeks of referral
Waiting time from referral to recorded diagnosis
There were 2,679 recorded diagnoses of autism in quarter two 2020/21 (the latest data), of which 42% were recorded within 13 weeks of referral
Resources
Last edited: 6 July 2021 9:35 am