Info on Daphne Keen, consultant in Neurodevelopmental Paediatrics.....

[teamtwilight]

That's it really.

Seriously considering going private. I have heard about Daphne Keen and would like to know if anyone has used her?

Is she reccommended? Roughly how much? and of course if she gives a dx, will anyone accept it (lea, school, gp and nhs paed etc)?

So, I tried going with her but her secretary never ever returned my phone calls/emails.

I was pretty distraught and in a very hard place. I ended up seeing someone at the Portland hospital instead. Half as expensive and actually had a secretary that knew how to respond.

The private dx is worth it because there isn't a long wait. (That's just how I feel). Unfortunately Daphne Keen/secretary didn't think we were important enough. It's okay, I'll refuse to see her when she needs me.

Thanks eandz, that's interesting!

I will have a look at the Portland hospital too.

I found her very good - quick, efficient diagnosis when the NHS had given me a waiting time of 2 years! It was about £1000 but we were able to claim on work BUPA. She is not just private but also a highly-respected NHS doctor (at St George's, Tooting, I think) and so it's more difficult for the system to pooh-pooh her diagnosis. I also found her very sensitive in how she delivered those words to us 'your son is probably autisitic'.

I had the same experience as eandz. The secretary never got back to us. I have since decided to wait as should only be a month or two at the most now via nhs but I've kept applying the pressure on CAMHS.

I think we got a very quick appointment because someone had cancelled and she was very good. Her report has been used time and time again to get help and support for ds. Good luck with whoever you go with.

I emailed DK's secretary and got a reply straightaway. I have however decided to wait to make an appt with her, to have the NHS appt first and then probably go to her as a second opinion (only a six week wait for NHS autism clinic appt in our area, we already have appt for two weeks' time, I asked the HV for it last month). I will see what the NHS clinic says first and then make decisions from there. I am pretty sure i will want DK's opinin in the end too, though she sounds very impressive.

I must confess myself to be rather disappointed that the NHS clinic appt is with a junior doctor and not a consultant, but will reserve judgement until after appt. (I am a senior NHS consultant myself so a bit unsure about how easy it will be to be getting opinion from a junior/and for them dealing with me).

I meant that I will "want her opinion though, AND she sounds impressive!"

PS eandz, who did you see at the Portland? and were they good? Our peadiatric ENT specialist has recommended a Dr Challis there, but I still think I may go with DK

We went to see her too.