Advice Please - Autism Diagnosis

I would imagine you have run up against unwritten NHS trust rules. Notice, you got a call. That probably indicates that your GP was not exactly enamoured with the idea of having to voice a rejection that he was not responsible for. But you might want to run that idea in front of a few people who live locally, who might give you a fuller picture. I suggest you try to join a local support group. As far as I am aware (as an expat), there is usually nothing to stop you self-identifying (even if you continue to think of it as only a possibility) and joining such a group. You might then get a better picture of what is going on in your area, constructively share some experiences and figure out a different approach.

I suppose you could also make an appointment with the GP and ask him directly; but it looks like he might be evasive, to avoid losing face.

Why did he stop you in full-flow? Perhaps he was a bit stretched that day. He probably understood well enough the behaviours you listed, but thought ultimately someone else would reject or accept. Maybe too, he has been through this process before.

Roughly what area are you in? Perhaps someone else on this forum will already know about current issues in that area.

Thanks for the response.

I live in Leeds.

Leeds General Hospital have a PALS (Patient And Liaison Service). I know it will be difficult but please go along and see them. 

There isn't a 'general' hospital in Leeds, there's the Infirmary and there's St James... But in any case, in England NHS mental health services are almost always run by separate organisations to acute/general hospitals. It's Leeds and York Partnership NHS Trust that the original poster needs to talk to.

It is odd that they didn't say why they were rejecting the referral. It could be that the information that the GP provided in the referral was incomplete. It's no excuse, but GPs are extremely busy and won't necessarily complete referral forms with the best quality information. Plus, if he wouldn't take all your info then he might have missed something that the assessment service wanted.

I've had a quick look at the service website and it looks like they actually accept self referrals which is very unusual. Take a look yourself, you may be able to get in touch with them directly - as search for Leeds Autism Diagnostic Service should get their site. It's definitely worth reading their criteria first so you can check that you're eligible and you can frame your history to fit what they want to see (this might be something that the GP failed to do).

There isn't a 'general' hospital in Leeds, there's the Infirmary and there's St James... But in any case, in England NHS mental health services are almost always run by separate organisations to acute/general hospitals. It's Leeds and York Partnership NHS Trust that the original poster needs to talk to.

It is odd that they didn't say why they were rejecting the referral. It could be that the information that the GP provided in the referral was incomplete. It's no excuse, but GPs are extremely busy and won't necessarily complete referral forms with the best quality information. Plus, if he wouldn't take all your info then he might have missed something that the assessment service wanted.

I've had a quick look at the service website and it looks like they actually accept self referrals which is very unusual. Take a look yourself, you may be able to get in touch with them directly - as search for Leeds Autism Diagnostic Service should get their site. It's definitely worth reading their criteria first so you can check that you're eligible and you can frame your history to fit what they want to see (this might be something that the GP failed to do).