Gathering views: how well do local health and care services support the needs of people with autism?

Download (PDF 240.99 KB)

Summary of report content

Throughout the Autumn of 2016 Healthwatch Islington spoke with Islington residents with Autism Spectrum Condition, and with their families. They wanted to know whether more could be done to make health and care services accessible to patients with autism. They spoke to 60 people.

People said that GPs, dentists, and hospitals needed to be more flexible, rather than expecting autistic patients to be the ones to make adjustments.

Many people reported difficulties accessing autism-specific services (speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, clinical psychology, CAMHS etc).

There's a need for better autism awareness amongst health and care professionals, particularly regarding communication needs.

The report contains five recommendations about reasonable adjustments, a more integrated approach to care and improved autism awareness.

Would you like to look at:

General details

Local Healthwatch
Healthwatch Islington
Publication date
Date evidence capture began
Date evidence capture finished
Key themes
Access to services
Communication with patients; treatment explanation; verbal advice
Health inequality
Lifestyle and wellbeing; wider determinants of health
Written information, guidance and publicity
Integration of services and communication between professionals
Caring, kindness, respect and dignity
Staffing - levels and training

Methodology and approach

Was the work undertaken in partnership with another organisation?
Yes
Primary research method used
Engagement event
Focus group
If an Enter and View methodology was applied, was the visit announced or unannounced?
N/A

Details of health and care services included in the report

Details of health and care services included in the report
General Practice (GP)
General outpatients and hospital-based consultants
Hospital-based psychiatric care
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and Targeted Mental Health in Schools Services (TaMHS)
Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) and specialist MH services

Details of people who shared their views

Number of people who shared their views
60
Age group
Not known
Gender
Not known
Is the gender identity of people in the report the same as the sex they were assigned at birth?
Not known
Sexual orientation
Not known
Pregnancy/maternity
N/A
Types of disabilities
Mental health condition
Does this report feature carers?
Yes
Did you find this attached report useful?
0
No votes have been submitted yet.