Here is information on what to do to get assessed:
http://www.autism.org.uk/about-autism/all-about-diagnosis/diagnosis-information-for-adults/how-do-i-get-a-diagnosis.aspx (NAS also have a helpline)
Here is a shortened version of the AQ50 (a validated test by Simon Baron-Cohen et al used in ASC assessments) which GP's should use as a screening tool prior to referral:
Link to AQ10 (autism quotient screening questionnaire): http://docs.autismresearchcentre.com/tests/AQ10.pdf (complete and take to GP).
Please note, your GP cannot fob you off with comments such as "there is no support for adults" or "we have no facility to assess locally" etc. You are entitled to an out-of-area assessment if there is no local clinic.
Your right to a second opinion on the NHS.
NHS choices regarding treatment, hospital, clinician etc. Here is NHS Choose & Book.
NHS statement on referrals entitlement here and here.
Check (and leave) reviews of your clinic or hospital before you choose. You may also read and leave reviews here by selecting your place of treatment from the menu.
Here is a quote from the Department of Health:
"Patients currently have the right to choose the organisation that provides their treatment when they are referred for their first outpatient appointment with a service led by consultants, and to information to support that choice. Any choice beyond this is at the discretion of the individual primary care trust (PCT).
You may be aware that the Government has made a number of commitments relating to extending the choice of treatment and provider in the vast majority of NHS-funded services. Views on implementing these commitments were collected in the subsequent public consultation Greater choice and control. The formal responses to the consultation are being published on the Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk and can be found by typing ‘Greater choice and control’ in the search bar.
The NHS Standard Contract states that providers must accept referrals for any patient who chooses that provider and whom it is within their clinical competence to treat.
I would suggest that patients contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at their local PCT, which can be found through the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk. PALS will be able to contact and investigate this issue with the chosen provider."
NHS statement on referrals entitlement: http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1094.aspx?CategoryID=68&SubCategoryID=153
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/doctors/Pages/gp-referrals.aspx
NHS NICE guidelines here: http://www.nice.org.uk/CG142
Autism Strategy here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/151844/dh_122910.pdf.pdf
If you need to complain to the NHS about their failures, here:
http://www.nhs.uk/choiceintheNHS/Rightsandpledges/complaints/Pages/NHScomplaints.aspx
Anyone facing trouble getting their GP to listen, contact your local councillor here:
http://www.writetothem.com/
If you do not get sufficient help from them, go to your MP here:
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/
There is also the Lords but they have no duty to reply to members of the public:
http://www.writetothem.com/lords
(Mods: please could this be made into a sticky?)
