Neurodivergent people's experiences of outpatient appointments in Surrey hospitals
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Healthwatch Surrey decided to undertake research into neurodivergent people's experience of outpatients' appointments as these are a community who may experience poorer health outcomes. They undertook a survey to which 70 people responded.
The project investigated 3 key areas: communication received before the appointment, experiences before meeting with a clinician and experience of the appointment. The findings have been grouped under seven themes: information, environment, communication, waiting times, length of appointment, clinical approach, and training and awareness of neurodiversity.
Key recommendations include calm and quiet spaces, providing details about what the appointment will entail, providing accessible formats for communications, involving carers where people request it, minimising waiting times, extending appointments to allow more time for people and ensuring staff have had training in neurodiversity.