Published on 12, July, 2020
To be clear, I already have an autism diagnosis through the NHS. I'm now seeking healthcare for a different condition. I contacted a private doctor who initially offered me an appointment, but withdrew the offer when I told him about my autism diagnosis as part of providing my medical history. He told me to go to a doctor who specialises in autism instead. Is this discrimination?
That might depend what the issue is (I’m not asking you to tell us, just saying), if your knee hurts for example then I’m not sure why they would need to say that, but if you are seeing a neurologist or similar then they may have other colleagues who specialise in treating patients with neurodivergent conditions and would be able to offer you better care. I work in cardiology we have a few sub specialisms and the doctors often refer patients to each other because they aren’t trained to provide the treatment the patient needs. Did they give any recommendations of who to see instead?
He recommended another doctor who is much more expensive.
MrSolo said:He recommended another doctor who is much more expensive.
Does this mean you are going privately? If so then I don't think you have much of an issue if the reason for seeing them is related to your autism - they are effectively saying you need a specialist (hence the higher cost) and gave you the contact.
Yeah it's a private doctor. I'm on the waiting list for the equivalent NHS specialist service too, but it will be two years at least before I have my first appointment there, whereas the private doctor's waiting list is only five months. I didn't think my issue had anything to do with my autism.