The new service, funded by additional investment, will operate on an interim basis while longer-term arrangements are developed. Clinical Partners will take over the provision from the Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT). Families do not need to take any action, as referrers, GPs, schools, and affected families will be contacted directly by LSCFT with details of the next steps.
Children and young people whose referrals were transferred from LSCFT to Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (BTH) in June 2026 will remain with BTH and will not be transferred to Clinical Partners. The ICB acknowledges the difficulties caused by long waits and anticipates that the change in provider will address some of these concerns.
The ICB is actively working with providers to establish a sustainable, long-term service aligned with national clinical guidance. This includes the implementation of a new local neurodevelopmental model co-produced with parents, carers, and stakeholders. For further information, the ICB’s neurodevelopmental pathway webpage is available.
The ICB has commissioned additional capacity to increase appointment availability for assessments. This change aims to improve referral review and prioritisation, ensure timely advice and support for families, and create a more consistent and sustainable service across the region.
Specific changes are being implemented for school-aged children and young people with autism (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). New referrals for autism assessments in Lancaster and Morecambe will now go directly to BTH. Existing referrals to LSCFT for autism assessment that have not yet been triaged, or require updated information, will be securely transferred to BTH. Similar transfers to BTH are being made for ADHD referrals in Greater Preston, Chorley and South Ribble, Skelmersdale, Fylde and Wyre, Lancaster and Morecambe, and South Cumbria, for those not yet triaged or requiring updated information.
The ICB and LSCFT are continuing to collaborate on new arrangements for uncommissioned children's ADHD and ASD services for those without additional mental health diagnoses. The commitment remains to provide a suitable future model and address the ongoing long waits experienced by young people.
