Advocating for myself at the GP

Hi Glizbeth.

In England and Wales the NHS has started rolling out to appropriate staff two tiers of the UK Government's preferred and recommended Autism awareness training called the Oliver McGowan Training (I had been about to suggest asking if someone in your GP Practice had completed the Oliver McGowan training ...until I realised you are in Scotland)..

What is the current situation in Scotland? - here is the "long story" (please skip to the end of this reply for 4 "short story" interim practical suggestions ... because I don't think any Autistic patient loves personally delivering the basic Autism training to medical professionals in the style of "Groundhog Day"!):

I understand the situation is slightly different in Scotland; where a similar initiative is being planned for rollout as per the Scottish Government's "Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill: consultation (2023).

https://www.gov.scot/publications/learning-disabilities-autism-neurodivergence-bill-consultation/pages/9/

The name of the Bill is a bit wordy; so more recently it has become more regularly referred to as the "LDAN Bill".  A good move!

Unfortunately, the progress became subject to a delay decided by the Scottish Government.

By November 2024: the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee agreed to hear various sources of evidence following the Scottish Government’s decision to delay the introduction of the LDAN Bill and the committee produced an update paper on the situation - as the committee summarised:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.parliament.scot/~/media/committ/9405/Paper-1--SPICe-briefing&ved=2ahUKEwjQy4yP3aCPAxW0UEEAHcGRN24QFnoECB0QAQ&usg=AOvVaw1ZQ2TafBhSfH-gMo_sTJbz

Unfortunately, the update November 2024 was still quoting mandatory Autism training in Scotland in aspirational terms: "Mandatory Training in the Public Sector - there needs to be greater awareness, understanding, and training on learning disabilities and neurodivergence."

As at April 2025; the Scottish Parliament was still dolefully observing: "...the Parliament notes its disappointment at reports that the promised Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill was not announced in the most recent Programme for Government ...".

https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/members-business-s6m-16644-daniel-johnson-learning-disability-autism-and-neurodivergence-bill-april-1-2025

In June 2025 it was announced by the Scottish Parliament that; "The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee is launching an inquiry into treatment pathways and support for Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).". (For which the call for views closed on 18 August 2025). 

https://www.parliament.scot/about/news/news-listing/committee-seeks-views-on-adhd-and-autism

So ...sorry to say; unfortunately, that all sounds rather: "hurry up and wait"!

In the meantime, I have 4 "short story" suggestions / observations:

1) Courtesy of Autistic Doctors International; I wondered if you could try asking your GP Practice for reasonable adjustments in support of your Autism in the style of the SPACE framework ("Autistic SPACE: a novel framework for meeting the needs of autistic people in healthcare settings).

S - Sensory

P - Predictability

A - Acceptance

C - Communication

E - Empathy

https://rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk/autism-meeting-the-needs-of-autistic-people-and-people-with-other-types-of-neurodivergence/autism/autistic-space-framework/

Or (this 1 page image - reflects the study of the experiences of UK Autistic medical Students - but does include the SPACE image in colour):

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Autistic-SPACE-a-novel-framework-for-meeting-the-needs-of-autistic-people-in-healthcare_fig1_370580268

2) I believe; NHS Scotland does not currently have a national "Neurodivergent Passport" or "Neuro-Inclusion Passport".

However, you could try making use of the National Autistic Society "My Health Passport" which is designed to communicate an Autistic patient's needs when navigating healthcare settings like a GP Practice, or when attending an Hospital Clinic appointment, or A&E:

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/physical-health/my-health-passport

The above health passport can also helpfully support your self-advocacy in difficult situations; where maybe through overwhelm / frustration / physical health barrier / mental health situation: you might be finding it extra difficult (or temporarily impossible) to convey your medical history and support needs to healthcare professionals.

3) Unfortunately, I understand that NHS Scotland doesn't have a direct national "autism patient record flag" like England's Reasonable Adjustment Flag; instead, it relies on local clinical systems and resources like "health passports" to manage these adjustments. Patients are encouraged to inform their care team of their needs, which are then documented in their local health records, often supported by a personal "hospital passport" that outlines communication preferences, environmental needs, and other support requirements for staff to follow.

4) You may wish to consider the merits of wearing a Sunflower Hidden Disabilities Lanyard to appointments in healthcare settings - this can help all NHS staff to be supportive - not just clinicians.

Sometimes, you can get one for free from larger branches of supermarkets like Sainsbury's.  Otherwise, here is the official website with a wider range of products - which is helpful to know in case you are a person who doesn't tolerate well; things touching the back of your neck):

hdsunflower.com/.../lanyard-packs.html

Best wishes.

Oh, wow!! This is so helpful. I’m on my 4th GP practice in 3 years and am yet to get any real help. They’re extremely busy and (I suspect) want to treat a (single) symptom rather than the cause or holistically me as a patient. Hospitals are stretched, too. I was admitted with heart problems then sent home because I was waiting for treatment and was in a long queue. I had a heart attack, at home on my own 2 days later . I’ve tried a list and the GP response was ‘pick the one that’s worrying you the most’

I hope someone has mentioned to you the British Heart Foundation? 

They also offer lots of different types of information and styles of support (the PDF brochures to download are good - or you can get them free by post (I ordered a load of them for one of my relatives when I realised that they we getting nil practical heart health guidance via their GP Practice). 

There is a regular magazine and you can also choose to receive a regular email newsletter - which can be tailored and updated to match your current topics of interest.

www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport

I hope someone has mentioned to you the British Heart Foundation? 

They also offer lots of different types of information and styles of support (the PDF brochures to download are good - or you can get them free by post (I ordered a load of them for one of my relatives when I realised that they we getting nil practical heart health guidance via their GP Practice). 

There is a regular magazine and you can also choose to receive a regular email newsletter - which can be tailored and updated to match your current topics of interest.

www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport