The NHS in York and North Yorkshire is calling for patients' help to reshape adult autism and ADHD services.

NHS Vale of York and North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) are hoping to gather feedback from people who have accessed adult autism and ADHD assessment and diagnostic services.

Patient experiences will help influence the design of "a new service model that would better meet the needs of our local communities".

Sue Peckitt, Chief Nurse, NHS North Yorkshire CCG, said: "We have a great opportunity to gather meaningful and informed feedback from people with experience of the current service which will be used to develop a service specification – which outlines what to expect from the service.

"We want to ask service users and carers how they feel about the service we have currently and look at ways to improve."

Denise Nightingale, Executive Director of Transformation, Complex Care and Mental Health, NHS Vale of York CCG, added: "We’re aware that some people are waiting far too long for appointments for example, therefore we want to maintain and improve a quality service for adult ADHD and autism that meets the needs of the local population."

There will be a formal procurement process to appoint a lead provider. This organisation will provide an adult autism and ADHD assessment and diagnosis service for those who live in York and North Yorkshire from 1 April 2022.

As part of the engagement work to help inform the autism and ADHD adult pathway, the CCGs intend to use a number of methods to ensure we are able to reach as wide a section of our population as possible.

This will include focus groups held via Zoom, online surveys and sessions with existing support groups

The focus groups will take place via Zoom on the following dates:

• Tuesday 27 April 2021 from 12 – 1.30pm
• Wednesday 28 April 2021 from 2pm – 3.30pm
• Wednesday 5 May 2021 from 5.30pm – 7pm

If you are interested in joining a focus group, please register your attendance by emailing nyccg.engagement@nhs.net. If you are unable to register online, please ring 01723 343660.

If you would prefer not to attend a focus group, but would still like to give your views, we have put together a short online survey. The link can be found here.

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