Hi all , if possible i would like to know if anyone can help me with some information on diagnostic /referral times and how to pursue matters further with my local CCG.
after completing the following tests with my psychologist (MCMI-III , ASQ ,EQ ) she suggested i may have aspergers and said she would put me forward for more specialist testing.
after hearing nothing for 6 weeks i contacted who i was refereed to myself and have been told the waiting time is ...12 months , obviously - to me this is totally unacceptable as it is hindering my recovery and what treatment options are available to me.
i have read the NICE autism guidelines and under care pathway (taken from the autism quality standard) it says that
'People with possible autism who are referred to an autism team for a diagnostic assessment have the diagnostic assessment started within 3 months of their referral. '
the above also come under quality measures , this is a link to where i am looking..
pathways.nice.org.uk/.../autism
if anyone knows i would like to know how to pursue the matter (do i contact my GP or CCG and tell them 12 months is not good enough - if CCG who do i speak to? )
many thanks in advance
i was told that my area had a waiting time of at least 12 months - so i did the following >
by law each CCG must have a commisoner that is appointed to deal with the autism strategy for the region - i asked to speak to them.
speaking to the above commissioner i pointed out that the autism strategy of 2014 had 6 key points , this particular CCG was breaking a few of them- but i pointed out the following one to the commissioner>
6 / ''need to commission services based on adeque population data''
i pointed out that if i was supposed to wait at least 12 months for a referrral then the above had failed seeing as NICE guidelines also say that a person 'suspected of having austim' should be seen within 3 months, therefore the service was failing as it was not based on the needs of the region with a 12 month+ waiting time.
the above - which is taken from the 2014 autism strategy is 'statutory' guidance , therefore CCG's have a duty to make sure it is implemented.
...result , the commissioner has paid my GP to send me elsewhere for an assessment.
>so remember the 2014 austim strategy is your friend -the 6 key points are statutory guidance , therefore the local health bodies have a legal duty to make sure it is working under those guidelines , if it is not > make a complaint to the comissioner in charge of the autism strategy for your region and point out whichever key point suits your needs best.
the statutory guidance is as follows , if you are waiting a long time for an assessment then 5+6 are your friends when talking to your commissioner
1 /should provide autism awareness training for all staff.
2/ must provide specialist autism training for key staff, such as GP's and community care assessors.
3/ cannot refuse a community care assessment for adults with austim based soley on I.Q.
4/ must appoint an austim lead in their area.
5/ have to develop a clear pathway to diagnosis and asssessment for adults with autism.
6/ need to commission service based on adequate population data.
as the guidance is statutory, local councils and local health bodies have a legal duty to impliment it.
where the guidance says that a local area should do something, this menas that they will have to do it by law, unless they have a strong reason not to. lack of money will not necessarily be a strong reason.
i was told that my area had a waiting time of at least 12 months - so i did the following >
by law each CCG must have a commisoner that is appointed to deal with the autism strategy for the region - i asked to speak to them.
speaking to the above commissioner i pointed out that the autism strategy of 2014 had 6 key points , this particular CCG was breaking a few of them- but i pointed out the following one to the commissioner>
6 / ''need to commission services based on adeque population data''
i pointed out that if i was supposed to wait at least 12 months for a referrral then the above had failed seeing as NICE guidelines also say that a person 'suspected of having austim' should be seen within 3 months, therefore the service was failing as it was not based on the needs of the region with a 12 month+ waiting time.
the above - which is taken from the 2014 autism strategy is 'statutory' guidance , therefore CCG's have a duty to make sure it is implemented.
...result , the commissioner has paid my GP to send me elsewhere for an assessment.
>so remember the 2014 austim strategy is your friend -the 6 key points are statutory guidance , therefore the local health bodies have a legal duty to make sure it is working under those guidelines , if it is not > make a complaint to the comissioner in charge of the autism strategy for your region and point out whichever key point suits your needs best.
the statutory guidance is as follows , if you are waiting a long time for an assessment then 5+6 are your friends when talking to your commissioner
1 /should provide autism awareness training for all staff.
2/ must provide specialist autism training for key staff, such as GP's and community care assessors.
3/ cannot refuse a community care assessment for adults with austim based soley on I.Q.
4/ must appoint an austim lead in their area.
5/ have to develop a clear pathway to diagnosis and asssessment for adults with autism.
6/ need to commission service based on adequate population data.
as the guidance is statutory, local councils and local health bodies have a legal duty to impliment it.
where the guidance says that a local area should do something, this menas that they will have to do it by law, unless they have a strong reason not to. lack of money will not necessarily be a strong reason.
