NHS and Medway Council's autism service review 'must end postcode lottery' warns Kent Autistic Trust
17:42, 27 May 2020
updated: 17:43, 27 May 2020
A review of autism services must end the "postcode lottery" for thousands of patients and carers, a charity has warned.
Health bosses are currently reassessing how people on the autistic spectrum receive help in the Medway Towns.
The Kent and Medway NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Medway Council has launched a survey as it seeks to reshape the support offered to people.
The Kent Autistic Trust, which is based in Brompton High Street in Gillingham, has welcomed the chance for people to voice their opinions.
But the charity says there's a lot more work needed in Medway to enusure residents are eligible for the same level of support as those who fall under Kent County Council (KCC).
Emilymay Miles, family information advisor for Kent Autistic Trust, said: "There are a lot of people on Medway that aren't eligible for any services.
"Listening to autistic people is a really positive step – they know what they need.
"It's got to be more in line with what Kent so it's not a postcode lottery."
Ms Miles said assessment criteria for residents in Medway was more strict and the services in the Towns were behind the rest of the county.
"The lower level needs that some people need is not being met – teaching cooking and cleaning for new routines. Hopefully this [review] will change that," she added. "But it's still very early days."
The trust is hoping to see more suitable housing provided for autistic people, employability schemes – which currently operates in the Kent County Council system – and to train more people to be aware of autism.
Ms Miles said: "There's a lack of housing and they're not getting support through social services.
"Some are housed in hostels and that's certainly not suitable and there are private tenants with landlords robbing them blind with something sub-standard.
"It's got to be more in line with what Kent so it's not a postcode lottery..."
"Some are committing crime just to get someone to talk to.
"A lot of people I speak to really have nowhere else to go.
"They're sent to mental health teams and there's this ping-pong effect."
Ms Miles said all too often patients are bounced between different services as autism was a social care area but often mistaken as a mental health issue.
But she added for those in unsuitable housing could then have a knock-on effect on self-esteem and mental health.
Carers, families and those with autism and ADHD have been asked to give their views.
It asks people to share their experiences of the current service and give input on changes they believe are needed to improve care for those with the conditions.
The survey is focussing specifically on people in Medway with either autism, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Asperger's or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
A spokesman for the CCG said the questionnaire, which is available online, will "help shape the future" of neurodevelopmental services in the Towns.
Further discussions will be held within the community and through support groups to develop the plans.
The trust, which is contacted by about 5,000 people per year in Kent and Medway, says even simple things like making more direct payments to help someone go to the shop or engage in a new activity or hobby, would increase support much more.
It helps provide a range of services including assisted living, day centre care, outreach into the community and family support.
Visit the survey link here by Friday, May 29 to complete it and contact comms.kentandmedway@nhs.net for more about the discussions
