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Going through private to NHS

Kalina

Hello,

I am sorry in advance if this is difficult to understand as I am bad at explaining things.

I am 21 years old and have not been diagnosed for ASD as of now, I was born in Poland where there were concerns from doctors but a diagnosis for ASD was not something widely tested for so it was shrugged off despite many developmental delays (delayed speech as well as reading amongst others..).

Fast forward to today I struggle a lot with daily life and looking at many things it could be ASD ticks every box, at the very least I know I should be tested as I score a 10 on the AQ-10 and feel that I have every symptom on the NHS website and NAS. 

I went to my GP under the NHS and was told bluntly that "People with ASD do not speak" feeling horrible I am terrified of going back anywhere near the public GP for this.. 

I am able to pay for a consultation privately (not an assessment - just GP appointment with a private doctor) with Spire or any other clinic, I have read many times that by law private GPs are allowed to refer to free treatments/diagnosis, I have been wondering if anyone here has this experience? If yes, how was it? 

Where I found this information: https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/private-practice/private-practice-and-gp-contracts/private-practice-and-gp-contracts#:~:text=Private%20GPs%20are%20free%20to,patients%20to%20the%20private%20sector.

I have seen many individuals with concerns about cancer do this, however, was wondering how it is for concerns for ASD. 

  • in reply to Kalina

    Some Doctors have a God Complex. The authority goes straight to their head. 

  • in reply to Catlover

    Thank you, what you said about dermatology is exactly what I am hoping to do with this. The private app will be free as my insurance would pay for the basic GP appointment, I will ask them first and see if they are willing to do referrals to free places.. if not I will ask for a second opinion. I cannot believe that in 2022 so many doctors are still so uneducated. Thank you so much to everyone here who replied so kindly to my post, it really helped

  • I would say, get a second opinion, with a different GP at your practice.

    You can also ask the private GP before attending, if they refer you back to the NHS for assessments if you want a free service.

    In the past I paid privately for a consult with a Dermatologist. He then actually referred me to his department where he also works within the NHS, and put me on the waiting list for the treatment as a regular NHS patient, so I’m sure this is the same thing.

  • Hi, the easiest way is to most probably change your GP. For a professional to say that autistic people can’t talk is not acceptable. Some GP’s are more receptive than others, yours has no understanding of autism and you need to change him.

  • in reply to Meeples

    I am sorry I probably didn’t explain well

    i cannot afford the assessment itself, I can only afford a private GP appointment where I can get a referral for an assessment. I heard private GPs can refer to public NHS treatments (shown in the link I gave) and wanted to know others experience with this option :) because of the experiences I wrote about I am trying to avoid the public GP 

  • I'm afraid I don't have experience of what you are asking. Is there a reason you need a GP referral if you are willing and able to pay for a private assessment? If you can afford a private assessment, there are many places that you can contact directly and request an assessment without the need for the GP to be involved at all. Sorry if I have misunderstood something here.