Policy number: SRP 049
Policy name: Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorders-specialist diagnostic assessment
Status: Not Funded
Effective date: 3 September 2024
Next review date: 3 September 2026
Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) represent a range of conditions caused by exposure of a developing foetus to alcohol. An affected foetus may develop physical, neurodevelopmental and cognitive defects and it can cause significant functional impairments.
Diagnosing FASD is complicated and there is no specific test for the condition. Whilst obtaining a diagnosis may be important from the perspective of the individual and their families, it is not necessary for accessing support from neurodevelopmental or cognitive services already commissioned by MSE ICB and social services partners. Where there are concerns about a child’s development a referral can be made to a Community Paediatrician.
MSE ICB have assessed funding for referral to a specialist FASD diagnostic service as a low clinical priority and as such do not fund referrals for diagnostic assessment outside locally commissioned services.
This service/procedure has been assessed as a Low Clinical Priority by MSE ICB and will not be funded unless there are exceptional clinical circumstances.
Individual funding requests should only be made where the patient demonstrates clinical exceptionality.
Find out more information on applying for funding in exceptional clinical circumstances