report for others to see

My nhs one won’t be till the end of the year, and I wouldn’t invite my employer to that, so I don’t see they should be involved in this one at all.  I’ve sent them an email and going to phone tomorrow morning to say no way am I letting my employer know about my childhood or my personal struggles etc.  

I had 2 reports one was very basic and the other was pages............ long. My Gp has access to both but sent the shorter version to my employer when requested.

Like you I also wouldn't like just anybody to read my full report, as far as I'm concerned its for my eyes only and I will share it with only a very select few.

like others have said couldn't you possibly go back to the place where you were diagnosed and ask for an 'abridged' version?

Maybe email them instead if that's easier for you to do?

Yes, I can relate to those feelings. I didn't get my assessment through work, but I can imagine it would be stressful to discuss your personal childhood issues in front of your employer. 

That sounds good. It seems you clinic is well prepared!

qwerty said:

Thanks for your reply. But I still have a few questions. The clinician that diagnosed me wasn't the GP - and I don't think the GP has the training to carry out such assessments, so are they able to amend the report? It was part of the very long and complicated NHS system, so I'm not sure what would be the best way to contact anyone, or who to contact...

Well the clinician who diagnosed you will not have your medical records, whereas your GP has more access to and involvement with them officially ~ so is more able to advise you about them.

Or perhaps contact the NHS Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS):

https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/nhs-services-and-treatments/what-is-pals-patient-advice-and-liaison-service/

I’ve got a date booked for an assessment at the beginning of August through my employer.  I’ve received an information document that states my employer will be there on the day of my assessment, or have a telephone interview about how I am at work.  And will receive a copy of the report, and be there during the follow up meeting.  I’m going to phone them as I believe it is extremely inappropriate.  And I do not want them having any report that says anything further than the diagnosis and what adjustments are recommended.  And I certainly don’t want them to be there for any meetings.  This is a clinical assessment of me, and my mum is coming with me to discuss childhood development.  My employer doesn’t know me at all, just that they find me a nuisance at work. 

The lady that assessed me said "That's all you need, apart from medical stuff. Give that one".

I think with the length of the reports most HR, or things of that nature probably prefer to recieve two paragraphs!

They should do it for you qwerty.

All the best.

Yeah, I heard that some clinics do that, giving out a short report that you can show to others in additional to the full report. Thanks for suggesting that I contact them to ask, as it does make sense that something like this should be a common question!

Did it have a letterhead? That would probably be the best place to start. Might not be the place, but they could tell you who to contact.

When I had my assesment, I was given a full report, and the Clinical Psychiatrist gave me another short report. It only had on that I'd been diagnosed with ASD, the date of diagnosis, and her contact details.

She said that it was for official stuff, where you don't need to give all the details. She assured me that it woukd suffice for most situations.

Maybe contact them and ask for a summarised one, with just those details. Worst that can happen is they say no, but I imagine that they get asked frequently. It shouldn't be a problem.

Hope you get it sorted to your satisfacion!

That's a good idea. I guess I'm just really really shy when it comes to asking for help! I often become hesitant when initiating a contact. But it does seem like a reasonable thing to do. I might try it on Monday if I pluck up the courage. Thanks for the suggestion.

Are you able to phone the clinic that assessed you and ask if they are able to do a summary report that you could give to your employer? The full reports are, in my opinion, waaay too personal to let an employer see!

Thanks for your reply. But I still have a few questions. The clinician that diagnosed me wasn't the GP - and I don't think the GP has the training to carry out such assessments, so are they able to amend the report? It was part of the very long and complicated NHS system, so I'm not sure what would be the best way to contact anyone, or who to contact...

qwerty said:

Yes, I think you were smarter when deciding what to tell and not tell the assessor. I was naive and just told him everything.

I've already been assessed a while ago, and some of the embarrassing events have already been put in the report. I'm not sure if I can contact the assessor to make any modifications now, since the time has passed... and it's already been sent to my GP. 

I guess the "crossing out stuff with a black felt tip marker" is a good idea that I might do. 

You can get your medical records amended if they are not accurate or appropriate, so maybe amend the report, discus it with your GP ~ and if or when agreed upon, have it put in your medical record ~ so that you have both a medical and a professional version possibly?

Yes, I think you were smarter when deciding what to tell and not tell the assessor. I was naive and just told him everything.

I've already been assessed a while ago, and some of the embarrassing events have already been put in the report. I'm not sure if I can contact the assessor to make any modifications now, since the time has passed... and it's already been sent to my GP. 

I guess the "crossing out stuff with a black felt tip marker" is a good idea that I might do. 

That's nice that your manager accepted your own letter! I have been looking on the website of the place where my new job will be and their standard procedure said they needed medical documents that met certain criteria. 

When answering the pre-assessment, I asked for a degree of confidentiality, as there was an older person who I preferred to keep the diagnosis from; to avoid any (completely) unnecessary blame. Not the same as work, of course. But the main thing was that request for confidentiality was respected.

It is comparatively easy these days to make alternative versions of text reports, So I would imagine most assessors could easily access your original report and make some modifications.

I also asked for my experience of a traumatic experience to be omitted, because I preferred to keep it confidential from an insider witness of some earlier events; and because I knew that person would want to read the report. So my comment on that event on the questionnaire was very brief. I added to that by verbally telling the assessor that the event had certainly had repercussions, but that I had no current desire to discuss the details - having long come to terms with the event. The way I look at it is this: A diagnostician is NOT a psychoanalyst. (A largely outmoded role, anyway.) Why spoil a comparatively positive appointment by reliving pain that was now long past its sellby date? So brief sympathy was expressed, but the vulnerability was definitely noted - as intended.

Agreed that not every clinician works in the same way, but I feel most would be inclined to cooperate.

Something to add to the above, though. You may have to tell your employer that adult diagnosis is largely based on interview, because the medical records are rarely very revealing; except perhaps in slightly more recent times. And there is also not much observation of behaviour, as many adults tend to adapt and mask. But perhaps that information could also be briefly indicated in an amended report. It was my understanding, even before the appointment, that the report could be changed for different readers.

I was going to blank the major of my report for my employer but I was sent a “To whom it may concern” letter simply staring my diagnoses.  My manager does not need to know how weird I am!

Thank you! That's a good idea.