Asking to be referred out of area (UK)

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So, I still have no proper diagnosis, no support and uni won't help me are just telling me to back to my GP. I've seen a GP three times within the last year to get a diagnosis and the support I need. All I was given was a referral to CMHT, who screened me and then told me that they can't diagnose me. One GP told me I don't need a diagnosis. It's something I'm entitled to. How does she know I don't need a diagnosis anyway? She's met me twice and the first time was due to a hearing issue.

There are no services in Plymouth for diagnosing adults. It seems to just be about diagnosing children. This is despite there being the Autism Act, which says we're entitled to a diagnosis and support.

I'm now going to have to write to my PCT and ask them to send me elsewhere. has anyone managed to do this, please?

My situation is slightly different to yours. However, you are correct, and here is a response to my enquiry of the Department of Health last August:

Thank you

I know I've got it, I've had a trainee GP and trainee psychologist tell me there's a high chance (bearing in mind the GP only asked me a few questions) I've got it. The psychiatrist says "in my opinion, she probably is Autistic", but no support or a proper diagnosis telling me where I am on the spectrum.

I was discharged after being told I may have it and was left with no support at all. I was told to contact a local support group and they'll be able to help me. I was informed by the branch officer that they don't do that type of help. The idea of a group like this is to meet others on the spectrum and to exchange ideas, coping strategies, etc.

I'm heartily sick of the NHS. They fob people off all the time over ASCs. And especially (as I'm pretty tired of hearing myself say) females with AS.

I'm getting fed up too. It took someone 5 month (and only because I was becoming increasingly pissed off with the lack of a response with regards to paperwork about me) to tell me that I'd been discharged and not even diagnosed properly.

My GP referred me to what was essentially a mental health triage. After a 30+ minute appointment I was told "It sounds quite likely that you are autistic, but it's difficult to get a diagnosis". I was only offered CBT. I got the distinct impression that they only pay attention to the anxiety and depression questionnares, and refer you accordingly. Counsellors are cheaper than psychs?

Sorry this isn't a response to the OP's issue, but I have a question that's related so I didn't want to start another thread. If it's allowed to request to see a service outside of the local area, do any of you know if the Autism Act means that I am allowed to go to my GP and request to see a specific person in my area for an assessment/diagnosis? I've seen a psychologist/psychotherapist with experience in adult autism privately for therapy a couple of times and she takes NHS patients as well as private ones, so I'm wondering if I would be able to have my assessment with her via the NHS. If it's relevant, I believe she's the only psychologist in my area with any experience diagnosing autism in adults and she is local to me and does home visits (this is important for me because I get anxious about travelling). The only other one I know of is quite a lot further away and doesn't do home visits. My GP is friendly and will probably listen to what I have to say even if he doesn't know a lot about it, I'm just not sure if he is allowed to do this or if he is "supposed" to send me to a specific kind of place like a mental health centre?

You could request a specific person, but that might not guarantee you getting them. You'd be best emailing your request to PALS (patient advisory liaison service) explaining what you posted here.

Thank you, I hadn't heard of PALS before (I try to involve myself with medical organisations as little as possible!). It looks like my most local one doesn't do emails but hopefully another one will answer my question.

PALS online map to search here:

http://www.pals.nhs.uk/officemapsearch.aspx

You're better off starting your own thread instead of hijacking mine.

I was diagnosed with aspergers by a psychiatrist I asked my GP to refer me to because I thought I had ADHD. The GP was rubbish and told me that adults didn't suffer with ADHD but as I already had the name and address of the doctor, along with a list of reasons why I thought I had it, he referred me anyway.

If you can find the name of an adult specialist in your area then you have a better chance of being referred as the GP might not know where to send you and either refuse or send you to the wrong person. Writing down a list of reasons why you think you have it will also help as sometimes its difficult to remember everything you want to say and your thoughts may be more coherent on paper as you might get nervous starting off your explanation. If you started by explaining that you're struggling to cope because you think you have aspergers and that you've written a few reasons down on why you're struggling, along with the name of the doctor you wish to see, it may be more helpful to you and the GP. It worked for me anyway

Thanks. I did explain when I was there the first time why I need a diagnosis. I was hoping that having a diagnosis would mean support. I have no proper diagnosis and no support. Letter from CMHT says I might have Autism.

There's no-one i my area that I know of who can diagnose me. The closest is Southampton. Swindon won't accept me because I'm out of their catchment area.

The national autistic society has a helpline you can ring where someone can search their directory of specialists for you. If they can't find anyone in your area then they'll be able to tell you what the next best thing to do is. I know that phoning a stranger can be a bit daunting but rember that they talk to autistic people everyday and won't judge you for being nervous or incoherent. The number is 0808 800 4104 and lines are open mon - fri 10am - 4pm.

Thanks I've done that before and have got nowhere. But it's more due to the lack of services in my area.

I don't suppose changing university to an area with better services is an option? It looks as though the best way to see a specialist is to move closer to one.