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Wes Streeting's move against autism - NAS - time to step up

mrs.snooks

I'm aware that this discussion may get a little heated, but I hope that it stays away from getting too much so. I do not mean to cause offense or lead to any arguments. So here goes.

I woke up to this morning's headlines: 

Health Secretary Wes Streeting is to launch an independent review into rising demand for mental health, ADHD, and autism services in England.

I haven't added the link to the article as I know this will trigger a delay to having this posted. But I'm thinking you will have seen this this morning. 

I am so angry on so many levels. And I am hoping that the NAS is angry too and can respond to his move with a firm and robust response. Because.

Now, I am going to call it out. Mr Streeting, I think that this is what I would be calling: Discrimination. Discrimination with a big, fat capital D. Discrimination against a marginalised group. A vulnerable group. That deserves your protection and that you should have our back. As the HEALTH secretary. Shame on you. Shame on you.

I may not respond to any responses to my thread, if it gets too heated. And I am happy for the thread to get locked or removed.

It's time to Step Up.

Parents

  • I just wanted to quote   said on another post here (I hope this is okay as I did not want to derail the other post)

    • I think it's important for us older ones to get diagnosed, even if we don't get any help right now, if it's on our medical records then it could effect how we're treated after something like a stroke or if we need care or develope dementia

    This for me sums up why the current crisis in waiting times or the postcode lottery of being diagnosed on the NHS at all, is actually crucial. Having it on your record if you get to the point where you can't effectively advocate for yourself? If you have others round you that can make sure it's known you might be okay without a diagnosis, but for the vast number who don't or don't have supportive families, it is important as it *should* effect your care. 

    This was something I hadn't considered before.

  • in reply to Cinnabar_wing
    Cinnabar_wing said:
    Having it on your record if you get to the point where you can't effectively advocate for yourself?

    Although I agree in principle I have twice in recent times told a hospital doctor I am autistic. 

    Their replies:

    1. Are you? It must be very mild. 

    2. Are you? You don't look it.

  • in reply to B

    I can believe it. It probably wouldn't have been the consultant or lead doctor bc they have ASD training. Whenever I have mentioned it to doctors in hopsitals (a couple of times) they immediately took a more measured approach to everything they told me. 

  • in reply to B
    B said:
    They are also paid a pittance

    There are different angles to this.

    These were agency staff covering in the hospital. I am not a doctor, but they knew nothing about care. If I had had my diagnosis at that time it would have seriously complicated things. 

    Its very easy to tell good service levels as the staff want to be there. Also it must be equally demoralising for those who are low paid and doing a good job when services are reported as performing badly.

    I agree I am not knocking care received from hospitals and senior staff, its just that it drops of rapidly depending on who you get to see.

    When it is your loved ones then it is much closer to home.

  • in reply to pietro_21
    pietro_21 said:
    Care of the elderly for companies is often about cutting costs or using agency workers - who are not incentivised in the same ways and largely do not care.

    They are also paid a pittance and have a few minutes with each patient - I've watched them with my mother (in her home) although I'm sure they spent nearer the full time they are meant to when I was there.  This was via the local council, not funded by her.

    pietro_21 said:
    the night nurses forgot to feed me and wash my wounds.

    I'm sorry to hear this but I'm not surprised.

    Care though can be high standard in hospitals.  I've had a lot of experience with visiting this year with two local hospitals, and as a visitor, what I've seen has mainly been under funded departments and very over worked staff, each working at least 12 hours shifts, do the best they can in incredibly hard circumstances.

    Having worked in the NHS too I know how the under funding leads to difficult decisions on care.

  • in reply to B

    I don’t think people are going to extend their conversation time with me after letting them know. But they probably have dealt with it a lt better than I might. I know what you mean hospitals can feel very cold. Big mostly empty places.

    Care of the elderly for companies is often about cutting costs or using agency workers - who are not incentivised in the same ways and largely do not care. Its a massive conflict. I was admitted for vascular surgery last year. The night nurses forgot to feed me and wash my wounds. All they did was talk about how much they were getting paid and their next job. To me this is the issue.

  • in reply to pietro_21
    pietro_21 said:
    It probably wouldn't have been the consultant or lead doctor bc they have ASD training.

    The 1st one was in a clinic and he was more senior than a resident doctor.

    I was also wearing my invisible disabilities badge.

    I am glad that your experience was more positive. 

    I have regular treatment at my local hospital but have only once experienced any positive difference in attitude when I raised my autism. 

    My experience of hospitals leads me to believe that they have no time or interest in anything other than what you are there for at that time.

Reply
  • in reply to pietro_21
    pietro_21 said:
    It probably wouldn't have been the consultant or lead doctor bc they have ASD training.

    The 1st one was in a clinic and he was more senior than a resident doctor.

    I was also wearing my invisible disabilities badge.

    I am glad that your experience was more positive. 

    I have regular treatment at my local hospital but have only once experienced any positive difference in attitude when I raised my autism. 

    My experience of hospitals leads me to believe that they have no time or interest in anything other than what you are there for at that time.

Children
  • in reply to B
    B said:
    They are also paid a pittance

    There are different angles to this.

    These were agency staff covering in the hospital. I am not a doctor, but they knew nothing about care. If I had had my diagnosis at that time it would have seriously complicated things. 

    Its very easy to tell good service levels as the staff want to be there. Also it must be equally demoralising for those who are low paid and doing a good job when services are reported as performing badly.

    I agree I am not knocking care received from hospitals and senior staff, its just that it drops of rapidly depending on who you get to see.

    When it is your loved ones then it is much closer to home.

  • in reply to pietro_21
    pietro_21 said:
    Care of the elderly for companies is often about cutting costs or using agency workers - who are not incentivised in the same ways and largely do not care.

    They are also paid a pittance and have a few minutes with each patient - I've watched them with my mother (in her home) although I'm sure they spent nearer the full time they are meant to when I was there.  This was via the local council, not funded by her.

    pietro_21 said:
    the night nurses forgot to feed me and wash my wounds.

    I'm sorry to hear this but I'm not surprised.

    Care though can be high standard in hospitals.  I've had a lot of experience with visiting this year with two local hospitals, and as a visitor, what I've seen has mainly been under funded departments and very over worked staff, each working at least 12 hours shifts, do the best they can in incredibly hard circumstances.

    Having worked in the NHS too I know how the under funding leads to difficult decisions on care.

  • in reply to B

    I don’t think people are going to extend their conversation time with me after letting them know. But they probably have dealt with it a lt better than I might. I know what you mean hospitals can feel very cold. Big mostly empty places.

    Care of the elderly for companies is often about cutting costs or using agency workers - who are not incentivised in the same ways and largely do not care. Its a massive conflict. I was admitted for vascular surgery last year. The night nurses forgot to feed me and wash my wounds. All they did was talk about how much they were getting paid and their next job. To me this is the issue.