Update on Psychiatry UK waiting times

Just had a note on the web portal with an update on waiting times for the assessment appointment for anyone who is interested or in the process at the moment. Not great in terms of my anxiety over it all but I can't really fault it when I'm one of the people adding to their caseload.

  • Thank you, that's very helpful. I spent a lot of time on the form so hopefully they find my answers useful. I've looked at the diagnostic criteria and how I fit it so I can reiterate that as well.

  • No toys or stories, with Psychiatry UK you get a private assessment paid for by the NHS, not the NHS assessment procedure. The psychiatrist who diagnosed me did so mostly from the copious notes I provided, and from our conversation. The only observations he made that were relevant to the diagnosis was that I had a 'flat affect'. I think providing as much written 'history' beforehand is very useful. If you can fit your traits into the criteria listed in the diagnostic manuals, so much the better. I think we were only about 20 minutes into the consultation when I was told that I would be getting a diagnosis of ASD. The rest of the time we were discussing my anxiety and OCD problems. In the end I got two extra diagnoses.

  • Having gone through the children's testing with my son this year I can definitely confirm that. I was hoping that the adult assessment with Psychiatry UK would be different, I wasn't looking forward to having to play with toys or make up stories.

  • Yes, the NHS assessment regime is essentially designed for children, with minimal modification for use with adults. As it is reliant on testing and observation by a team of clinicians, it is overly long-winded and costly, hence the stupidly long waiting times. Unfortunately, the NHS has not realised that, while testing and observation are vital for child diagnosis, they are not nearly as important for adults, because you can just ask adults and they will tell you their traits and experiences. DUH!

  • So it seems. But still better than the wait time for the NHS at the moment.

  • They seem to have a decent understanding that the people accessing their services are likely autistic and need concrete information. Or at least that's what I'm thinking.

  • I believe that the Covid lockdowns increased the demand for autism assessments. I was diagnosed by Psychiatry UK in February 2021 and only had to wait 3 weeks - though I paid myself. The extension of the 'Right to Choose' NHS scheme from ADHD to include autism has made the demand for assessment by Psychiatry UK vastly higher.

  • That's good that they are keeping you informed. Very few keep people in the loop. 

  • Congratulations on your diagnosis .

  • I was diagnosed last year aged 57!Flushed

  • Thank you! I'm nearly 40 so it's a bit late for me too.

  • Hopefully you here from them soon...I had my interview last Thursday and was officially diagnosed.  I was also given an ADHD test to fill out after the interview as they think I may also have that condition also.  They have been great so far in my situation.  I'm 51 so diagnosis for me is very late.  Good luck with it all.

  • With suspecting I'm autistic and having an anxiety disorder, and my son being diagnosed as autistic, it certainly makes for a more thorough planning process. We both need certain things to be able to go away and making sure it's all in place in advance helps. If not there's guaranteed meltdowns for both of us.

  • I understand the urgent need for there to be a PLAN!

  • Ooh, that's good news. Hopefully they don't contact me too quickly as I'm going on holiday next week Joy

    Although maybe seeing the anxious and super sensitive me in the run up to the holiday would help them make their decision. My husband is dealing with my planning and prepping as well as he can but I think even he's starting to get annoyed at me.

  • Hey the good news is the website was also saying this when I was waiting and I just got my diagnosis on Friday. 

    I was contacted on July 6th to book in my assessment appointment and the meeting took place on July 21st - so hopefully you don't have too long to wait now! 

  • That's great. I'm pleased for you.

  • They've been pretty decent in terms of their response so far, all communication has been within their specified timeframes.

  • Nice they sent you an update. A lot of people get left in the dark when they wait for a service like that.