Our charity has responded to the Care Quality Commission’s annual assessment of the state of health and social care in England. 

Tim Nicholls, Assistant Director of Policy, Research & Strategy at the National Autistic Society, said: “Today’s Care Quality Commission report is yet more proof of the unacceptable health inequalities faced by autistic people. 
 
“The long waits for an autism diagnosis, in an already over-stretched system, the inappropriate care of autistic people stuck in mental health hospitals, and autistic people subject to excessive use of restraint. The damning list goes on and on.
 
“Autistic people continue to bear the brunt of a health and care crisis; in a system that should have been fixed years ago. This report is crystal clear about the scandalous gaps in support for autistic people, and the stark inequalities and harmful practices they continue to face.
 
“It needs to stop now. That is why we’ve joined forces with four other autism charities to write to the Chancellor and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care ahead of the budget, calling for urgent action to end the avoidable and devastating crisis affecting tens of thousands of people waiting for a diagnosis. 
 
“In the letter, we demand the upcoming Government Autumn Budget includes funds to stabilise and strengthen the failing system. The Government needs to provide ringfenced funding for autism assessments and confirm a long-term plan to make sure people can get a diagnosis, if and when they need it, and crucially get the right support.”

You can read the letter here.