FOI 2025/1381

I am submitting this request under the Freedom of Information Act and the Code of Practice on Openness in the NHS.

Please confirm the ICB holds the following data, and where it is held please provide the data as requested.

Autism and/or ADHD Services – Impact of Indicative Activity Plans, Waiting Lists & Times

1. Please confirm whether the ICB is setting Indicative Activity Plans (IAP) for Autism and/or ADHD providers for 2025/26?

2. Please confirm whether the ICB has undertaken the following in relation to IAPs for Autism and/or ADHD services, and where it has provide copies of these documents:
(a) Quality Impact Assessment
(b) Analysis of Demand, Capacity and Impact on Waiting Times

3. Please confirm whether the ICB has created the following for Autism and/or ADHD services, and where it has provide a copy of these documents:
(a) Prioritisation criteria that providers are instructed to use in relation to IAPs
(b) Communications to GPs advising them of any impact of IAPs
(c) Communications to patients advising them of any impact of IAPs

4. Please confirm whether the ICB holds any data about the number of people it is responsible for that are waiting for Autism and/or Autism assessment, and where it does please provide the number of people in the following categories:
(a) under 18 waiting for Autism Assessment
(b) under 18 waiting for ADHD assessment
(c) under 18 waiting for combined Autism/ADHD assessment
(d) over 18 waiting for Autism Assessment
(e) over 18 waiting for ADHD assessment
(f) over 18 waiting for combined Autism/ADHD assessment

5. Please confirm whether the ICB holds data on the average waiting times for Autism and/or ADHD assessment, and where it does please provide the latest average waiting time data the ICB holds for the following categories:
(a) under 18 waiting for Autism Assessment
(b) under 18 waiting for ADHD assessment
(c) under 18 waiting for combined Autism/ADHD assessment
(d) over 18 waiting for Autism Assessment
(e) over 18 waiting for ADHD assessment
(f) over 18 waiting for combined Autism/ADHD assessment

For question 4 and 5, please provide data in categories where relevant. If you are aggregating categories please state this.

1. Yes
2. We are in the process of finalising the 25/26 IAPs in relation to all providers with whom NHS GM either contracts directly or has implied arrangements. As part of this work, we have reviewed and assessed the activity information received, noting that in some cases provider returns were incomplete. Quality Impact Assessments, along with analyses of demand, capacity, and impact on waiting times, have been undertaken as part of the recent GM-wide consultation on pathways. Similar work has also been completed in relation to CYP service development.
These pieces of work are now progressing through the appropriate GM governance channels. Once finalised and approved, they will be published, and a direct link will be provided for review.
3. We can confirm that prioritisation criteria are being developed as part of the commissioning policy for IAPs, which will guide providers in their application. Communications for GPs are also in preparation to outline any impact of IAPs on referrals and waiting times, alongside clear patient-facing information to support understanding and expectations.
In addition, information for patients on ADHD and Autism assessment pathways is already available on the GM Integrated Care ADHD and Autism Assessments webpage.
4. NHS Greater Manchester (NHS GM) does not currently hold data about the number of people waiting for assessments.
5. NHS Greater Manchester (NHS GM) does not currently hold data about the number of people waiting for assessments.