Long waiting lists for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) assessments have become one of the most pressing challenges in the UK healthcare system. As of late 2024, more than 200,000 individuals are awaiting autism assessments, with the average wait time for children reaching nearly 10 months far exceeding NICE guidelines. But the issue runs deeper than capacity constraints alone.
Behind these statistics lies an often-overlooked truth: the problem starts before the clinical pathway even begins. Referrals are delayed, disjointed, and disconnected. MyCareBridge was designed to solve this.
At Provide Digital, we believe the solution to the neurodevelopmental backlog begins with rethinking how we manage the pre-assessment journey. MyCareBridge is our answer. A digital referral platform built to streamline, simplify, and strengthen the entire pathway from identification to assessment.
The Hidden Problem Behind Long Waiting Lists
While it’s tempting to view the backlog as purely a matter of resourcing or clinical throughput, a closer look reveals an upstream bottleneck: inefficient and inconsistent referral processes.
In many areas of the UK, referrals for ASD or ADHD assessments still rely on:
- GP-led forms that are often incomplete or submitted without context
- Manual, paper-based systems with little to no tracking
- Fragmented communication between schools, families, and clinicians
- Long delays between identifying needs and submitting referrals
The result? Children are left in limbo. Parents feel powerless. And clinicians are forced to work with poor-quality data slowing everything down further.
MyCareBridge changes this.
Shifting the Model: From GP-Led to Education-Initiated Referrals
One of MyCareBridge’s core innovations is a shift in the referral origin moving it from GPs to education settings, where concerns about neurodevelopmental needs are often raised first.
By enabling Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) and other school staff to initiate structured, data-rich referrals, MyCareBridge empowers earlier action and more accurate information collection. Schools can upload supporting documents, log observations, and communicate directly with families and healthcare providers all within a secure, cloud-based platform.
This isn’t just about technology. It’s about reshaping the system to make it faster, fairer, and more transparent for everyone involved.
Real-Time Transparency for Parents and Carers
Families are often the most frustrated by the current system. Long waits are compounded by a lack of visibility into where their child is in the process or what (if anything) is happening behind the scenes.
MyCareBridge provides dedicated parent/carer dashboards, allowing families to:
- Submit supporting information and documents
- Track the live status of a referral
- Receive notifications and reminders
- Understand what happens next
This transparency is a game-changer. It reduces anxiety, builds trust, and allows parents to feel actively involved in their child’s care journey.
A Proven NHS Solution with Real Impact
MyCareBridge is more than a promising idea it’s a proven NHS technology. In Mid and South Essex, the platform has been successfully deployed across the Community Collaborative (MSECC), delivering measurable improvements in:
- Referral volume and quality
- Stakeholder communication
- Data availability for ICB planning
- Parent and educator satisfaction
For commissioners, this means clear evidence that MyCareBridge can scale, integrate, and deliver results in real-world settings.
Designed for ICBs, Built for Integration
Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) are at the heart of commissioning services that tackle the neurodevelopmental crisis. MyCareBridge directly aligns with ICB objectives:
- ✔️ Tackling health inequalities through early identification and intervention
- ✔️ Improving efficiency by reducing admin burden and delays
- ✔️ Advancing digital transformation in line with NHS strategic priorities
- ✔️ Enhancing data quality for planning and resourcing
- ✔️ Delivering value-based care under increasing financial scrutiny
The platform is fully compliant with NHS data and digital standards, including GDPR, Clinical Safety Case, and DTAC, and is built with scalability and interoperability in mind, including plans for PDS integration.
For ICBs under pressure to act, MyCareBridge offers a foundational digital infrastructure that improves service coordination and reduces backlog at the source not just at the point of diagnosis.
Why It Matters Now
The demand for ASD and ADHD assessments is growing rapidly, fuelled by rising public awareness, post-pandemic pressures, and better early identification. But the NHS cannot meet this demand by increasing assessment capacity alone.
We must also address the inefficiencies in how referrals are made and that’s where MyCareBridge leads the way.
By unblocking the referral bottleneck, we can help more children and young people access timely assessments and support. We can reduce the burden on clinicians. We can make the system work better for schools and families. And we can support ICBs in delivering smarter, data-driven care.
Let’s Tackle the Issues, Together
If you’re part of an ICB, NHS Trust, or local authority struggling with long assessment waiting times, we’d love to show you how MyCareBridge can help. Contact the Provide Digital team today.
📍 Visit: www.mycarebridge.co.uk
📧 Book a demo: info@providedigital.com
