Using the diagnosis documents to request reasonable adjustments, particularly with reference to GP practices

I posted this as a reply to another member’s question but thought it might warrant more visibility given how useful it has been to me so here it is 

When I received my ASC diagnosis documents I went straight to my gp surgery and asked to speak to the practice manager about reasonable adjustments. She happily met me f2f that morning and agreed to my request to communicate in ways which work for me as an autistic person, plus some other matters around admin. So …

I no longer have to participate in the ridiculous 8am telephone circus, they allow me to correspond by email, I can request appointments this way and repeat prescriptions, I can discuss administrative matters but occasionally clinical too. She put an alert flag on my records so that all staff, admin and clinical, are aware of my needs. I can book appointments in advance at any point of the day either at reception or by email, I can get same day appointments without entering the competition with other patients on the phone and I can chose who I see. I have developed an excellent working relationship with the senior nurse practitioner so am getting continuity of care, she on average gives me 20 minute appointments but they flex as per my needs, the latest one was 35 minutes. She can do everything a gp can do, she prescribes all and even serious medication without the approval of a dr and refers on to any clinic or specialist I need.

The benefits are huge and I’m getting treatment for conditions Id been unable to get help for for years. 

So my advice is take your diagnosis documents to your practice manager and request the reasonable adjustments which work for you. They are required by law to help us as autism is a protected characteristic (I think). 

Good luck xxx