Lack of autism and ADHD provision a ‘crisis’, say Lib Dems

The inadequate provision for neurodevelopmental conditions like autism and ADHD is a “crisis” which must be addressed, the Scottish Liberal Democrats have said.

The party used some of its debate time in the Scottish Parliament to discuss health service provision for the conditions, saying there has been a sharp increase in neurodiversity assessments since the pandemic.

Party leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said the situation had come about as a result of “political failures” and accused the Scottish Government of failing to meet its commitment of spending 10% of the health budget on mental health.

He told MSPs: “This is a crisis.

“It’s a crisis for learning, for mental health, for work, for families.

“It affects attainment in our schools, productivity in our economy and the wellbeing of tens of thousands of our constituents.”

He said there should be a national stepped pathway for autism and ADHD diagnoses.

Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane, who is a practising NHS GP, said he often had to tell people with a private diagnosis “there is nothing I can do for them” and this is “destroying the morale of the medical profession”.

Mental wellbeing minister Maree Todd acknowledged the increase in both children and adults seeking support is “creating challenges for services right across Scotland”.

She stressed that a diagnosis is not required to access support, highlighting recent improvements in waiting times for child and adolescent mental health support (CAMHS).

Ms Todd said: “I want to put on record that we have the highest numbers of staff delivering more care to a larger number of people than ever before.”