ADHD and autism referrals for children in Lancashire and South Cumbria paused
The Trust will no longer be accepting new referrals for diagnoses
Last updated 16th Feb 2026
Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust has said it's no longer accepting new referrals for autism spectrum disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnoses for children and young people.
They also say children on existing waiting lists will not be seen.
Bosses say it's due to an increased demand for diagnoses in the area.
The Trust say they apologise for any uncertainty that parents and carers feel and are working to minimise disruption.
Areas impacted
For those waiting for ADHD diagnoses, pauses apply in:
- Blackburn with Darwen and East Lancashire area for young people between the ages of 11 to 18
- Young people in Central and West Lancashire, Fylde Coast and Morecambe Bay and South Cumbria aged between five and 18
For those waiting for autism diagnoses, the pause applies in:
- Lancaster between the ages of five to 17
"this decision is not one that has been taken lightly"
Donna Robinson, Chief Operating Officer at LSCFT, said: “Patient care is our priority, and this decision is not one that has been taken lightly.
"It is however necessary to establish improved ways of working, and LSCFT and the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), along with wider system partners, remain committed to working together to support discussions around any future sustainable arrangements.
"Any new referrals for autism and ADHD diagnoses will be paused while alternative pathways are agreed and commissioned.“
"They must change their mind now", says South Cumbrian MP
Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said: "This is a cruel and foolish decision. If we don’t identify young people’s conditions, how can we help them?
"Young people with autism and ADHD can live really successful and happy lives, but if they’re not diagnosed and helped as early in their childhood as possible, we make it more likely that those children will go on to fail.
"The sad reality too, is that 50% of local children on the books of child and adolescent mental health services have autism and ADHD. Not because having autism or ADHD are mental health conditions themselves but because unsupported children become deeply miserable children. This is a damaging decision."
He continued by saying this may cost the Trust more money in the long run, "as well as causing misery for hundreds of local young people. They must change their mind now."
A new programme
A new model for neurodevelopmental pathways has begun, Professor Craig Harris, Chief Commissioning Officer and Accountable Emergency Officer for the ICB, said:
“Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB has begun a three-year transformation programme to redesign the neurodevelopmental (ND) pathway for children and young people.
"The aim of the ND pathway is to ensure that the needs of children and young people are met from the earliest possible stage without a diagnosis being necessary to access support. The plan will help people based on what they need, with or without a diagnosis. This is known as ‘needs-led care’ and will support people getting to the right service for them."
He continued by saying that this development is hoped to improve the situation.