Resource: NHS England

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NHS England

National health service policy and provision for autism

Source: NHS England

Resource Summary
NHS England is responsible for the overall commissioning and oversight of health services in England. They publish policies, strategies, and guidance related to autism, aiming to improve diagnostic pathways, reduce waiting times, and enhance the quality of healthcare provision for autistic children and adults across the country.

NHS England is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the National Health Service in England. It is responsible for commissioning primary care, specialised services, and setting overall strategic direction for the NHS. For autism, NHS England plays a critical role in developing and implementing national policies and strategies to improve care for autistic individuals. This includes initiatives aimed at reducing diagnostic waiting times for both children and adults, developing integrated care pathways, and improving access to mental health services for autistic people. They publish national guidance and allocate funding to local NHS trusts and clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to deliver autism-specific services. While local services are delivered by individual trusts, NHS England's overarching strategy and commissioning decisions significantly influence the availability and quality of autism diagnosis, healthcare, and support across the country, aiming to ensure that autistic people receive timely, appropriate, and compassionate medical care.

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