Improved Services For Adults With Autism

Local organisations will be able to access new tools from today that will help improve the health and wellbeing of adults with autism, announced Care Services Minister Paul Burstow.

The new tools have been launched on the eve of World Autism Day.

‘Fulfilling and rewarding lives: Evaluating Progress’ is a new Department of Health self assessment resource which will be available online. It is to be used locally and clearly sets out what local authorities need to achieve to implement the Adult Autism Strategy and allows adults with autism, their families, carers and representative groups to see what progress is being made in their local area and how this compares across the country.

They will be able to monitor improvements including:

• Whether there is increased access to services
• If more adults with autism have received a personal budget
• Whether there is increased satisfaction with local services
• Whether adults with autism, their family and carers have greater involvement in service planning
• If there is increased confidence in the accuracy of diagnostic services
• and Whether healthcare professionals are able to identify signs of autism.
  
  

The Department of Health has also funded a series of on-line training resources and booklets that will increase awareness and understanding of autism across all public services.

Care Services Minister Paul Burstow said: “For too long adults with autism have not been getting appropriate care and support to help improve their health and wellbeing.

“This is not acceptable and the Government has been clear that we are committed to improving health outcomes for those with autism so that they can lead fulfilling and rewarding lives.

“These new tools will help local authorities to drive change and create locally led, personalised services for adults with autism. We hope to see changes starting to take shape across the country shortly and an improvement in services and patient experience.”

(BMcN/GK)