Autism Diagnosis Update

Former Member

So i called the gp on Friday at 8:30 am. i asked to book and appointment for an adult autism assessment. the receptionist replies "were you asked to do this" and i say yh by my uni so i can get disabled student allowance during my studies. i just need to have a working diagnosis, which is a referral. she says she doesn't know how to do that and puts me on hold. then she comes back and says i need to call my doctor, asks for her name and she tells me shes all booked for the morning and to call back at 12:30. as expected i was in a ling queue and on hild for over an hour so i just hung up. the same thing happened yesterday.

why is it so hard to book and appointment. im just glad no one laughed in my face when i told them what i wanted an appointment for... its happened at this go more than once.

i also have a feeling that there were slots free... i called at 8:30 on the dot. it wouldnt be surprising to me if they refused to give an appointment bc its not as urgent.

sinead276

hi @violynenjoyer

just wanted to say sorry to hear it's currently a challenge for you to try and get the appointment you're asking for to get a diagnosis - i know it can be frustrating. Just from things in the news and people i've spoken to - it feels almost impossible to get appointments booked at doctors/GPs (likely due to the immense pressure on the NHS) so you're definitely not alone in your struggle.

Hopefully you manage to get one booked soon, so they can begin the process of assessing you, enabling you to hopefully get the support you need

Sending you a big hug this morning
Sinead

amy02

Sending you a hug @violynenjoyer well done you for trying to get an appointment Hopefully you'll get a time slot soon

ameliaJayne

@violynenjoyer Well done you for seeking a diagnosis that's really great.

I am sorry that the doctors were not very helpful that must have been really frustrating.
If you haven't already, call the doctors again in the morning and explain the issues you had faced when trying to call back at the time they told you to. I hope that if you also explain to the receptionist on the phone that you are finding their lack of urgency and help severely distressing, that they will ensure you get to speak to your doctor sooner.

I am also going to leave a link to a website that should have some helpful information on how to prepare for your referral:
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/assessment-and-diagnosis

Best of luck and I really hope it goes well for you. Keep us updated.

Former Member

@violynenjoyer well done for contacting the doctors and taking the step in getting a diagnosis, I'm so sorry you weren't met with the support and care you should have been.

Im not sure if it is an option for your doctors but I know some doctors allow you to be submit an e consult on the NHS app which gets viewed directly by your doctor. If this is something available to you it may be a helpful way of getting in contact with your doctor without the added stress and anxiety caused by the long phone queues and questions by the receptionist.

I hope you are able to get an appointment soon and able to start your diagnosis process as it sounds like a diagnosis would be really beneficial to you at this time.