HSE Establishes Private Panel for Autism Assessments to Combat Waitlists

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has announced the establishment of a private panel of specialists to conduct autism diagnostic assessments for children and adolescents in Ireland. This initiative aims to alleviate the significant backlog of over 15,000 children currently waiting for assessments in the public system.

The decision addresses growing concerns about the lengthy delays facing families seeking assessments of need, which are essential for identifying the health and education requirements of children and young people with disabilities. The HSE has issued a tender for qualified service providers to submit proposals for inclusion in this panel, which is expected to operate for one year, with an option for extension depending on demand and budget considerations.

Efforts to Meet Increasing Demand

HSE chief Bernard Gloster acknowledged the challenges posed by the rising demand for assessments. He stated, “Meeting the increasing demand for assessments of need is challenging, and to help address this, we are putting in place a bespoke panel arrangement with suitable panel-approved providers.” The HSE is making efforts to expedite the panel’s establishment to ensure that more assessments can be completed for those on the waiting list.

Interested service providers are encouraged to apply if they possess the necessary capacity and expertise to deliver the number of assessments proposed within the established timeframe. According to the HSE, assessment reports should ideally be completed within six months of the application date under the Disability Act 2005. Unfortunately, the HSE has admitted to significant difficulties in adhering to this timeline, with only 7% of assessments completed on time in the first quarter of this year.

Comprehensive Multi-Disciplinary Assessments

Successful service providers will be required to conduct comprehensive multi-disciplinary autism diagnostic assessments using a neuro-diverse affirming approach. When an assessment of need is requested under the Disability Act, providers must comply with the Independent Assessment of Need – Protocols for Assessors and the standards set by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA). Each assessment must culminate in a summary report detailing the findings.

The purpose of an assessment of need is to ascertain whether a child has a disability, the nature and extent of that disability, and the associated health and educational needs. Importantly, access to health services—including Primary Care and Children’s Disability Services—does not depend on completing an assessment of need.

Many parents have expressed distress over the delays in securing timely assessments. Faced with long wait times, some families have resorted to private services, emphasizing the critical importance of early intervention in addressing autism spectrum disorders. Data from completed assessment reports indicate that the proportion of reports categorizing children with “autism spectrum disorder” has risen from 18% in 2013 to 36% in 2023.

The HSE’s initiative to establish a private panel for autism assessments marks a significant step towards addressing the backlog and providing essential services to children in need.