Date & Venue:
Microsoft Teams (Online Meeting)
Key Highlights:
- Norfolk Autism Strategy Refresh:
- Autism Strategy Group led the refresh process, incorporating feedback from autistic individuals.
- Documents, questionnaires, and engagement activities took place from July 2023 – April 2024.
- The final draft strategy is being shared with board members and partners before official sign-off.
- Diagnosis Waiting List Updates:
- Adult Diagnosis: 1,041 adults waiting, with 92 new referrals per month.
- Year-on-year increase of 111.7% since 2020, highlighting growing demand.
- 204 additional assessments commissioned through The Owl Centre and Mind Professional Ltd.
- Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) Statement:
- A shared understanding of PDA has been developed in collaboration with partners.
- Board asked to approve and publish the document on the NAPB website.
- Children & Young People Neurodiversity Support Initiatives:
- NHS England funding secured for the Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) programme.
- Plans for a Neurodiversity Digital Library to be launched later in 2024.
- Key Strategy Feedback & Adjustments:
- Terminology changes approved to ensure clearer, evidence-based language.
- Additional data from University College London on autistic population projections to be included.
- Logos of partner organisations to be added to the strategy for endorsement.
- Implementation & Delivery Plan:
- NAPB to monitor partner organisations’ yearly action plans and progress updates.
- Debate on whether to use six priority-based working groups or a single monitoring group—final decision pending feasibility review.
- Strategy to be presented to the Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) Mental Health and Wellbeing Board on 12 June 2024 for sign-off.
Next Steps:
- Publish PDA position statement and research report online.
- Finalise strategy document and delivery plan before official launch.
- Continue monitoring diagnostic waiting times and assessment rollouts.
- Prepare for strategy sign-off by the ICP Mental Health and Wellbeing Board.
Next Meeting: 28 May 2024, Microsoft Teams.
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