NHS referrals - ASD recommendations

[debs40]

I'm having a problem identifying an appropriate out of the area referral which could be done on the NHS.

The choose and book system allows your GP to refer you straight to a consultant etc if they appear on their booking list. This includes those out of the PCT area whose hospitals have funding arrangements with your own PCT. This is supposed to mean that patients can go to the hospital of their choice.

However, the places I have identified as 'centres of excellence' only accept tertiary level referrals (i.e. will provide second opinions after an initial diagnosis - you are entitled to that as of right).

This means you have to go through the assessment process with your own service first.

The only excveption is the Dyscovery Centre but as theyt are not on the choose and book system, you have to apply for special funding from the PCT to go there. This is very hard to achieve.

My question is does anyone know of any one with real expertise who might be available for a first level diagnosis on an out of area referral?

I think I have suggested this before but have you an insurance plan? Might be worth seeing if you can see someone this way initially?

No, unfortunately not. But thanks

Also, I'm not sure how valuable private diagnoses are in the education system.

Debs
The NAS helpline will give you a list of specialists in the diagnosis of ASD. There will be one in your area or in an area that your PCT deals with.

A competent ASD specilaist should have no difficulty in diagnosing ASD - teriary centres are really designed for cases that are complex and where earlier opinion is divided / non-conclusive.

Please ignore all this rubbish about a private diagnosis not being acceptable. I get so annoyed everytime I hear this old chestnut trotted out. A private dx is just as valid as an NHS dx and 8must8 be accepted as such by eveyone associated with your child.

My son was dx'd privately by a Professor of Develepmental Delay Disorders and his dx was accepted by the NHS consulatnt (who was a far junior grade) and was also accepted by the LEA to the extent that it formed one of the Appendices in his Statement of Educational Needs.

Don;'t aim for 'the best' - just pick someone who appears to have the competency. If there is then any dispute you are perfectly entitled to seek a teriary referral.

Best wishes

Hmmm, he lady who runs the tertiary clinic here didnt say they were second opinions (lecturere at Uni) but for complex cases or unsure parents.

A private DX is valid of course but I have seen many parents in endless battles qwith the LEA over their refusal to accept that DX: me, I would not choose to give myself extra hurdles.

I would agree with calling the NAS, but also ask about a bit if you know children with dx.... we're in Wales so different system or I could recommend someone, but there will be people in your area with advice.

That is the problem WetAugust, my local CAMHS team are on the NAS list, yet they have told me, in writing, that there is no funding for their service, so they cannot provide basic advice, information about the processes or personnel involved and can only deal with two cases a month. I doubt there is any real expertise on the psychological side.

Further, following diagnosis, they appear to be as apathetic and unhelpful.

I would want to avoid the same crappy situation again so thought I'd look for personal recommendations.

I think the high functioning end of the spectrum is actually pretty complex. I think if you have a Prof of DDD dx'ing then you may be in a pretty secure position but most private dx's are not handed out by such eminent individuals and the NAS website suggests they're not always accepted.

Who was it by the way?

NHS peeps work in the private sector though debs maybe one afternoon a week at a private hospital. Worth looking into. Don't think consultations are too much depending on the area you are in and then you can take that report back to the NHS sector/LEA and it will have weight with it to move your case forward a bit quicker.

As for the HFA being complex. Daphne Keen(well respected) at St Georges says (friend of mine knows her) she is appalled at the the number of cases she gets that parents have struggled to get a diagnosis for when it is obvious to her when that child walks in the room that they are on the Spectrum. She is wondering what is going on with the diagnosis process in this country.

Debs - I got him through the NAS directory. He's retired from the NHS now and works for charitable org. Dx was £300 - best few hundred quid we've ever spent!

I'd email you the details but I don't have email on MN.

I'd love to see the LEA reject a private dx - they wouldn't dare .

Wassuup's right though, mnay NHS will do private dxs. What area are in in?

NAS are lovely to speak too and will email/send you a list of people/centers ect. Give your local private hospital a ring see if they have any consultant psychs on their books as well. NAS doesn't always have that info.

Thanks guys. WetAugust I've 'CAT'ed you about this - hope that's ok?

We're in Wiltshire.

Wasuup - thanks for tip. I've heard of her.

Will follow up the NHS doing private work lead too!!

Debs - be gentle with me but I have no idea what a CAT is or how to get at it

Wiltshire !!!! Lucky you - that's Aspie-central. I'm next door in S Glos.

WA- see that button on the right of the post blue bar saying contact a talker? That's CAT (used to be called contact a talker, you know slowly MN keeps up )

Didn't relaise you were so close to us WA- we're 20 minutes over t'bridge. Though may havesaid that before as A) baaaaaaad night LOL; B) am dim; C) am in shock as our HB sorted out today after 6 months.

Lucky? In what way? Don't feel very lucky at the moment I have to say!!