Wee update following the IJB meeting – our understanding from the meeting today is that:

The IJB has decided to tell NHS Grampian that it will no longer be a part of the current joint pathway.

Next month they are going to discuss budget options for an internal Aberdeenshire only pathway at a reduced cost (80K rather than 200K). This has not yet been passed, and raises a lot of questions around waiting times, if self referral will still be an option, and whether people on the current waiting list will have to reapply or have their referral passed over to a proposed new pathway. We also have concerns about the amount of time it will take to establish this pathway. We would also like more information as to how Neuroaffirming the new pathway will be, and whether or not they will be engaging with local Autistic people. Will support be offered while on the waiting list?

We are also very concerned about what will happen in Moray and Aberdeen with this decision since the current pathway is a combined Grampian one.

So while we are pleased that the pathway has not been closed completely today, we remain deeply worried given the lack of clarity going forward. We still need people to be signing and sharing the petition as the pathway is not yet secured.

We strongly urge the Aberdeenshire HSCP to actively engage with the Autistic community regarding the kind of pathways and support we require. We have reached out to the HSCP to ask for a meeting and will keep everyone updated on their reply.

Felicity and Marion