Liz Jarvis MP says Hampshire constituents are being “let down” following delays to ADHD and autism assessments

Liz Jarvis, Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, has said that the families in Hampshire impacted by recent changes to Autism and ADHD assessments “deserve so much better”, and has called for the county’s Integrated Care Board to urgently clarify the changes. 

Ms Jarvis has written an open letter to Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB Maggie MacIsaac, signed by fellow Liberal Democrat MPs in Hampshire Danny Chambers and Alex Brewer, calling for her to explain the changes that the ICB have made to assessments on the Right To Choose (RTC) Pathway in Hampshire. 

Patients referred via the RTC pathway for an ADHD or Autism assessment, including those already on the waiting list, will not be offered an assessment until 2027 at the earliest, and will only be offered an assessment if they meet prioritisation criteria. 

The statement posted on the ICB website in March has caused significant confusion, concern and upset for constituents, and Hampshire’s Liberal Democrat MPs would like to see greater clarity and understanding of how these changes affect them. 

Commenting, Liz Jarvis MP said: 

“Families in Hampshire are being let down. It is desperately frustrating that they will now have to wait even longer for an assessment. 

“Not having an assessment can have a significant impact. Treatment and medication cannot be accessed without a diagnosis, and the longer that a child goes without one, the longer they spend in school without the proper understanding and support that they need.

“My constituents and people in the county deserve so much better, which is why we have written to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB, calling for a clear, honest explanation on what these changes mean and why this controversial decision was taken.”