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Help! My GP is blocking my right to choose through miss information and failing to help me on their part with questions.

cnaylor

I need help, PLEASE.

About 4 years ago I went to my GP for an Autism assessment. They offered me a 'triage' phone call that was needed bafor an assesment.

I had a phone call with someone from the GP that lasted about 4 hours and I was asked LOADS  of questions and they said do I want to go through the NHS path or through someone else. I asked for pro's and cons and they said it doesn't matter and if one path rejects it, then I could take the other one afterwards. I chosed the NHS rout and was told to contact back in 2 years time if I hadb't heard anything.

After 2 years I chased it up and found out that they had aparrently replied via a text message to me that pointed to the NHS app for a file.

That file was a letter from the NHS assessors 'Manygates' saying that they reviewed the answers and did not thingk I had Autism so were not going to assess me.

I felt really deflated and have spend a long time getting ready to fight this again.

I sent my GP all the correct letters and Documents from Axia Autism support to go down the Right to choose path.

My GP has refused to sign this referral letter, saying that I have already been rejected for having Autism.

They refuse to believe that the right to choose allows me to go to someone else now. They also say that their new way of working is that their triage process goes through Manygates as they don't have the staff at their practice to undertake those questions any more, and as Manygates have already said no, then they would refuse to do it again. They have also said that 'this is just how they work' and that I HAVE to go through Manygates (their NHS approved assesors) for triage.

I am therefore not able to get my GP to sign anything and send it off to Axia so I can;t begin the process. The only process is to ask for another triage through Mangates (that I donlt want to use as they refused my application previously.)

I AM STUCK.

Additionally, I have downloaded from my HMS app, the document that the GP staff member sent on my behalf to manygates. This was a tick box exercies where they have not bothered to submit any other documentation of what was said, and also competely left blank anything about my childhood and just said 'patient doesn;t know anyone suitable to discuss his childhood.'

I mean, no wonder I failed at the first hurdle. There was complete incompetance from the GP that spoke to me for 4 hours, or Manygates just want some tick boxes to make their decisions.

Is there a way I can progress with either getting my GP to allow me to go throug the right to choose with someone other than their chosen NHS provider Many Gates? And/or is there a way that I can ask for a 2nd opinion, and/or claim that they have don;t a RUBBISH job in providing 'support' to me to send off answers to questions?

Please, please, please help me.

Thanks,
[edited by mod}

PS. I have looked through the help files  and FAQ's on this website and can't find anything that reflects my current situation.

  • Hey... I hear you—this sounds infuriating and exhausting. You're not stuck forever, but yeah, the system's a mess, and your GP's being obstructive. Let's break it down and get you moving.

    First: Right to Choose (RTC) in England lets you pick an NHS-funded provider like Axia for autism assessment—if your GP agrees you need one. The GP must refer if clinically appropriate (they decide that, not Manygates). A prior "triage rejection" isn't a full diagnosis—it's just screening. RTC isn't blocked by that; it's for new referrals. ProblemShared (similar provider) says if you've had an NHS assessment/diagnosis for autism, no RTC repeat—but triage? Not the same. Manygates did a tick-box review, not a proper assessment. Your GP's "already rejected" line is misinformation—common complaint on forums.

    Why they're blocking: Some GPs/ICBs gatekeep to manage waits—triage via Manygates is their local shortcut. But law says you can choose approved providers. Axia needs GP referral + funding confirmation (GP handles). If GP refuses, they can't force Manygates.

    How to push forward:

    1. Formal letter to GP: Write/email: "I'm requesting referral under Right to Choose to Axia ASD for autism assessment. Prior Manygates triage was screening only—not diagnosis—so doesn't prevent RTC. Please refer per NHS England patient choice guidance . Include my docs. If refused, explain in writing why (clinical reason only)." Attach NAS page on requesting assessment: Diagnosis  - say GPs should offer RTC before local referral.
    2. PALS (Patient Advice & Liaison Service): Contact your practice's PALS (or local hospital's). Free, confidential—explain poor triage (blank childhood section, no detail from 4-hour call), GP refusal, misinformation. They mediate without formal complaint. If no PALS, use Healthwatch.
    3. Complaint if needed: If GP stonewalls, complain to practice first—within 12 months. Then escalate to Integrated Care Board (ICB) or Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman (0345 015 4033). Mention incompetence: "Triage doc incomplete, no childhood info despite my offer—led to unfair rejection."
    4. Second opinion/triage: You can request new triage via Manygates, but push for RTC instead—say "I want independent provider." If GP insists Manygates, complain: "Their process failed—need fair re-review or RTC."

    Real talk: Many folks on Autism.org.uk and Reddit hit this wall—GPs say "no" post-triage, but letters/complaints flip it. Axia requires GP sign-off, so focus there. Private? If desperate, pay—but RTC's free if you win.

    You're not incompetent—you were let down. 

  • This sounds ago like ago l awful.

    Have you gathered your own evidence in support of your belief you are autistic? I had completed just about all of the tests available online; aq10 (which GP's use to evidence referrals), aq, eq, sq, raads-r, etc. They are all freely available on the Internet—I used the ones on the Embrace Autism site https://embrace-autism.com/autism-tests/. These were more than sufficient for my GP, and proved helpful in my assessment too.

    Other important evidence would be written or recorded accounts from parents, siblings, friends and colleagues.

    This would also provide documentary support for a complaint or request for a second opinion. 

    I wish you all the very best, and how you are referred for an assessment as soon as possible. 

  • Hi and welcome to the community.

    The first advice page here explains your options. It links to the second, related page, which advises on complaints options that you might like to consider:

    NAS - How to request an autism diagnosis > Can I get a second opinion about a referral or make a complaint?

    NAS - What can I do if formal support is not offered or is not enough? > Health services

  • Whilst there are always going to be more and less helpful individuals and organisations...

    Perhaps one recourse might be to contact you nearest NHS Patient Advice and Liaison Service (your IP makes no reference to having done so yet - however I believe that it is what "the system" would require one to do first under such circumstances).

    Best Wishes

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