Autism assessment waiting list in Dorset, June 2026
1,610 people in Dorset had an open autism assessment referral in June 2026, and 49% of those waiting over 13 weeks had a first appointment within 13 weeks (NHS England). Children: 315. Adults: 1,295.
In crisis now: NHS 111 (option 2 for mental health) or 999.
Last 12 months
| Month | Waiting | Seen within 13 weeks | Referred that month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,610 | 49% | 165 | |
| 1,615 | 47% | 125 | |
| 1,510 | 51% | 140 | |
| 1,625 | 47% | 115 | |
| 1,530 | 49% | 140 | |
| 1,430 | 52% | 135 | |
| 1,380 | 53% | 140 | |
| 1,310 | 56% | 115 | |
| 1,330 | 56% | 125 | |
| 1,270 | 58% | 105 | |
| 1,180 | 61% | 90 | |
| 1,260 | 59% | 135 |
- These figures undercount children: many children are assessed by community paediatric services that do not report to this dataset, and some providers miss a month's submission.
Providers here
- Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust: 1,115 waiting, 64% seen within 13 weeks.
Right to choose here
Right to choose in Dorset: not yet verified for this area. The legal right applies everywhere in England; local conditions vary.
What to ask your GP
- Which service the referral goes to, and its current wait.
- Whether you can use right to choose for a provider with an NHS contract, and what the local conditions are.
- Whether the practice agrees shared care for medication after a diagnosis (if a GP refuses shared care).
- Which route applies (adult and child routes).
Latest quarterly: NHS England, . Data checked .