Date & Venue:
Microsoft Teams (Online Meeting)
Key Highlights:
- Leadership & Governance Updates:
- Minutes and action log approved.
- NAP now has representation on the Learning Disability & Autism Programme Board.
- Strategy refresh document circulated to board members.
- 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 via The Owl Centre and Mind Professional Ltd.
- Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) Statement:
- PDA position statement developed in collaboration with partners and diagnostic services.
- Board asked to approve and publish the document on the NAPB website.
- Children & Young People Neurodiversity Support Initiatives:
- New framework for support services under development.
- 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.
- Norfolk Autism Strategy Refresh & Delivery Plan:
- Strategy signed off by NAPB and awaiting approval from the Health and Wellbeing Board.
- Organisations must submit yearly plans by August 2024 to outline actions supporting strategy priorities.
- Monitoring group to meet bi-monthly to review progress.
- Short-Term Research Project on Social Care for Autistic Adults:
- Conducted in partnership with UEA, Norfolk County Council, and NHS Research Capability Funding.
- Findings highlight:
- Top support needs: Stability, access to services, improved well-being.
- Barriers to accessing support: Anxiety, lack of awareness, previous negative experiences.
- Board approved publishing the research report on the NAPB website.
Next Steps:
- Publish PDA position statement and research report online.
- Continue monitoring diagnostic waiting times and additional assessment rollouts.
- Advance the Neurodiversity Digital Library and school inclusion programme.
- Support the strategy delivery plan and ensure all organisations submit their commitments.
Next Meeting: 30 July 2024, Microsoft Teams.
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