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AIBU?

To think a 9 MONTH waiting list for a medical assessment is a disgrace?

75 replies

MadMumx1 · 19/12/2018 13:38

This for a Neuro Development assessment for a child. Outcome will impact on education and support services will be not available until results of assessment available.

I expected 3-4 months but not 9 months!

WTAF!

No point in private diagnosis just in its suggested as it will not be accepted by Local Authority.

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MadMumx1 · 19/12/2018 13:40

Excuse crap grammar and garbled 1st para.

Fuming.

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MadMumx1 · 19/12/2018 13:43

Oh and it's taken almost 3 months to get a letter telling me that DS's referral has been received and he has now been put on the waiting list.

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BlackeyedGruesome · 19/12/2018 13:45

try 26 months.

but yes yours is unreasonable too.

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marmaladecats · 19/12/2018 13:45

That must be so frustrating especially as it is for a child. Presumably you are on a waiting list for cancelled appointments etc?

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BlankTimes · 19/12/2018 13:49

For the NHS, for a child, 9 months is on the speedy side, often from initial appointment to diagnosis, 18 months to 2 years isn't uncommon.

A lot of it depends on the area you live in.

If you'd prefer to go private, make sure whoever you see is "accredited" by the NHS otherwise you may hit a brick wall when applying for an EHCP.

You don't need a diagnosis to start the application process for EHCP, www.mediuk.co.uk/products/collamed/

Loads more info on the SN boards, SNChat and SNChildren are the busiest.

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OrchidInTheSun · 19/12/2018 13:49

My child waited 2 years

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emz1990 · 19/12/2018 13:50

I've been told in my area once I've managed to get the gp to do a referral it will then be a year from it being received before my daughter gets an appointment. So realistically we're looking at 18 months ish depending how quick the gp will help (already fobbed us off once!)

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PookieDo · 19/12/2018 13:51

I used to work in this area and 9 months is quite average or good compared to some of the lists I’ve seen and reports from other parents. It is usually because they are so long and can involve multiple HCP’s so take a lot of coordination to make happen. I’m sorry though

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bigarse1 · 19/12/2018 13:52

yep 2 years and rising in our area. we went private. la have to take on board any professional report

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BlankTimes · 19/12/2018 13:55

OOps, sorry, ignore the link for knee braces!!!

The link for IPSEA which outlines and helps with the EHCP process is www.ipsea.org.uk/

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Waddsup12 · 19/12/2018 13:55

Adult ADHD assessment is up to 9 years in some places.

Given the impact on jobs, families and the way higher risk of bad things happening, it's a disgrace. Even worse as a kid, I expect.

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endofthelinefinally · 19/12/2018 13:55

Things are only going to get worse, sadly.

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FlyingGoose · 19/12/2018 14:07

My nephew waited three years and my son has been waiting 2 years and counting. We have also been waiting 18 months and counting for OT. I feel your frustration but really you are one of the lucky ones.

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FlyingGoose · 19/12/2018 14:09

We were told 18 months only to find out they had bumped him off the pre-school waiting list the moment he turned 5. It is a disgrace.

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MadMumx1 · 19/12/2018 14:10

Really! So it looks like we should think ourselves lucky then.

We've already waited the 2 years for an initial assessment. DS already has an EHCP which is not worth the paper it's written on, this is for a reassessment due to mine and other professionals suspicions that DS was diagnosed incorrectly 4 years ago. He is out of education and ineligible for the correct support until he is reassessed.

I guess I thought that as his paediatrician was doing the referral it would be like a normal referral time limit.

Honestly could scream!

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FlyingGoose · 19/12/2018 14:11

You know that's not how it is meant at all.

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datingloon · 19/12/2018 14:22

Yep it's shit I'm on a 24 month waiting list for cahms, Dd is 15 and year 11! I only got her seen by a ed psych 6 months ago regarding her learning disabilities I've been fighting for 8 years for that

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Schuyler · 19/12/2018 14:38

YANBU. I know some people have longer waits than you but it’s still concerning.

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Ifartglitterybaubles · 19/12/2018 14:52

We waited 2 years 4 months for DS1's ASD assessment with CAMHS, I've been told the wait is now nearer 3 years in our area. We were discharged at the first assessment after he was diagnosed with Aspergers, the only support they could offer were a bunch of infomation handouts and an offer of a place on a post diagnosis parenting course.

I got the first appoibtment for the course last week. He was diagnosed 2 years ago. I don't think people are aware just how bad the waiting lists for CAMHS are now, how poor the support is and don't get me started on the lack of support/help in schools for SEN. The SEND code isn't fit for purpose.

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MoreNougatThanCougar · 19/12/2018 14:56

That's average in this area too but it's absolutely appalling

It took us 18 months to even get DS on the flipping waiting list as they gatekeep it so closely to make sure they only see the most extreme cases.

Have you tried ringing and asking about cancellation appointments? When we did that, they put DS on a list of patients happy to accept a short notice appointment and he was then seen within 3 weeks instead of waiting the quoted 36 weeks.

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taratill · 19/12/2018 15:04

Yes it is a disgrace. It's all to do with funding. It's going to get worse not better.
I've 2 with diagnoses on the NHS and I have been lucky that they have been comparatively speedy diagnoses (one 5 months and the other 15).

I would contact IPSEA as someone else has suggested about a EHC Plan.

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tommypie · 19/12/2018 15:22

The LA will accept a private assessment so long as it meets their specific criteria - ask them what they require (eg ADOS, 3di, psychiatrist involved, whatever they need) and then look for private assessors in your area if you don't want to wait the 9 months.

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drspouse · 19/12/2018 15:26

84 weeks here. That's for ADHD. Longer for ASD and they have closed the waiting list for ASD in the past.

Have you tried ringing and asking about cancellation appointments?
I did that and was told everyone was on the list for cancellations automatically.

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MoreNougatThanCougar · 19/12/2018 15:28

Ah - round here they only put you in the cancellations list if you specifically ask to go on it (and ringing weekly asking if there is any way of being seen faster doesn't count, you have to say the magic words "cancellation list" )

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Sirzy · 19/12/2018 15:30

The fight with the la for the correct support should be seperate from any diagnosis. As pp said you need to contact an organisation like IPSEA for advice on that one.

Sadly 9 months sounds pretty good. When ds was diagnosed it was 6 months to initial appointment to agree to assess and then 12 months from there. Apparently it is worse now

Some areas locally have closed waiting lists they have such a backlog