"Adult Autism Service waiting list"

I am a 50 year old lady waiting for an autism diagnosed. I waited a year for a first assessment but this was more fact finding and me answering many many questions.  After opening up and relaying all this information, which was difficult I was told that this was this stage finished and it would be another few months before I would be seen for the other part.  I explained that I didn't understand why I had to wait so long and surely some of the questionnaire would need changed.  I was told it was because 2 staff are needed for the next assessment.

This does not make sense.  I had my assessment start off Feb 2022 and I rang to see when I might get an appointment to be told lots of staff are off and using the current covid situation as an excuse. I asked when I might be seen,  how long I would have to wait and was told there is long waiting lists and I would be phoned when an appointment became available but no idea when.

This is so frustrating. What is the current waiting times and what is the trust doing to rectify the same.

Why do the assessments need to be so far apart?

Is it because after the 1st assessment I am no longer a new patient and not breaching waiting list targets?