A LEADING doctor described a meeting with parents of children with autism as a "humbling experience" as he bids to transform Cumbria's struggling diagnostic service.

Autistic spectrum disorder expert Dr Raj Verma came face to face with the parents of youngsters with the condition in Barrow on Thursday as he detailed his plans to drastically improve care in the area.

The groundbreaking meeting, held at the town's Nan Tait Centre, saw around 25 families attend to highlight problems with services for children with autism and to give feedback on proposals to change it for the better over the next six months.

The event follows the publication of a damning report into the state of autism services in Cumbria which found some parents wait several years for a diagnosis, letters take months to type up and clinicians are forced to carry their own bathroom scales to weigh patients.

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Dr Verma, the new associate medical director and paediatric lead for the Cumbria Partnership NHS Trust, said the chance to talk directly with let down parents was invaluable.

"Meeting with the parents was a very humbling experience for me because I got to talk to them and hear their concerns face to face.

"One parent had waited four years for a diagnosis. The family had been through hell.

"I welcomed feedback both positive and negative because that is what is going to give us a clear view of what's not working."

Dr Verma added: "They were empowered to come to the meeting because they want to be involved.

"I want them to play a big part in the improvement of the service, for them to be equal partners in the transformation."

A county-wide steering group is now to be set up to monitor improvements to the way children who are suspected of having autism are assessed and diagnosed.

It is hoped a new pathway from referral to diagnosis, if appropriate, will take no more than six months.

The backlog of children who have already been referred but are still waiting to be seen is set to be cleared by February.

Janine Wigmore, area policy officer for the National Autistic Society, was instrumental in setting up the meeting between parents and Dr Verma in Barrow.

She welcomed the opportunity for those affected by problems with the service to play a part in its improvement.

"There is now a willingness to listen to parents, make this service right and restore confidence in it which is very encouraging.

"We now want to see the changes actually happen and for support services to be available for families once the diagnostic process is complete."
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