Post by patrick on Sept 20, 2017 17:25:23 GMT
I've just had my assessment with Avon and Wiltshire MHP Trust, and got my ADHD diagnosis. So far I've got a positive impression of their service, and will describe something about it here as someone on another thread was curious about the structure and process of the assessment.
I saw my GP in February and he agreed to refer me -- I'm sure this is because (a) he's clued up and (b) he knows me and problems I have had before. This step ended up being a lot easier than I thought it would be. I know not everyone will have access to a sympathetic GP. In this case I knew exactly which member of the practice I wanted to see, and used their online booking system which lets you book appointments with particular doctors sometimes weeks in advance. For me I find this much much easier than phoning up.
About a month after that I got confirmation I was on a waiting list from the Avon and Wiltshire specialised Adult ADHD service, based in Bristol at the Petherton Centre. Luckily I didn't have to go Bristol for the assessment, although I might need to later for some of the follow-up services. My assessment took place in my hometown in Wiltshire. I don't know exactly what towns or areas they cover but it seems they do assessments in different locations on a regular rota. They sent me a pack of questionnaires and forms to complete. These were incredibly intimidating and I needed to ask for extra time when the deadline came. When I phoned they were very helpful and we agreed I should have another month. As well as the ones for me, there was one questionnaire for someone who had known you as a child (my mum did that), and one for someone who knows you now. These questionnaires were standardised clinical tests with a name but I can't remember it. If I dig up what they were called I will put it on here.
Eventually I sent it all back, and got an assessment appointment for mid-August. That would be six months, but I had to ring to change it because it was right on my 50th birthday! So in the end it took longer because of me delaying the process at a couple of steps. Overall, I call that pretty fast and I know some people elsewhere have waited much longer. So I am thankful for that.
The assessment was done by a nurse prescriber and an occupational therapist. The nurse took history to supplement what I had written on the forms, talking about work and education and including all family and life-related things which might have impacted me or cause the kinds of problems I have had. This took about at least an hour and a half. Then the OT went through the ADHD diagnostic criteria, under each heading seeing whether I had any problems, both now and as a child, and if possible coming up with examples. Like most people I guess I don't have significant problems under every heading (for example, I don't mind waiting in queues), but I just considered each one honestly and had no difficulty coming up with enough material. As recommended I took a friend who has known me a long time (since school) and he also helped. The entire thing took 4 hours. We didn't do a great deal of waiting around either, so most of that was talking. It was pretty draining. Take food.
At the end we had a summary interview where I was told I would get a diagnosis of ADHD (still to be formally confirmed but apparently quite clear), we discussed a bit about how I felt about that, some steps I can take myself now to help things improve and in general terms the kind of follow-up there will be. What exactly will take place in terms of treatment was not determined, as we have to get the report written up, sent to the GP, and so forth. But I am to expect a follow-up appointment in about three months and we will take it from there. Both the staff I met were friendly and professional, I had confidence in what they were saying and they were easy to question and get answers from. I also had a good experience dealing with the service on the phone. All round very positive so far.
So that's it, one person's experience in one area. Comments or questions welcome.
I saw my GP in February and he agreed to refer me -- I'm sure this is because (a) he's clued up and (b) he knows me and problems I have had before. This step ended up being a lot easier than I thought it would be. I know not everyone will have access to a sympathetic GP. In this case I knew exactly which member of the practice I wanted to see, and used their online booking system which lets you book appointments with particular doctors sometimes weeks in advance. For me I find this much much easier than phoning up.
About a month after that I got confirmation I was on a waiting list from the Avon and Wiltshire specialised Adult ADHD service, based in Bristol at the Petherton Centre. Luckily I didn't have to go Bristol for the assessment, although I might need to later for some of the follow-up services. My assessment took place in my hometown in Wiltshire. I don't know exactly what towns or areas they cover but it seems they do assessments in different locations on a regular rota. They sent me a pack of questionnaires and forms to complete. These were incredibly intimidating and I needed to ask for extra time when the deadline came. When I phoned they were very helpful and we agreed I should have another month. As well as the ones for me, there was one questionnaire for someone who had known you as a child (my mum did that), and one for someone who knows you now. These questionnaires were standardised clinical tests with a name but I can't remember it. If I dig up what they were called I will put it on here.
Eventually I sent it all back, and got an assessment appointment for mid-August. That would be six months, but I had to ring to change it because it was right on my 50th birthday! So in the end it took longer because of me delaying the process at a couple of steps. Overall, I call that pretty fast and I know some people elsewhere have waited much longer. So I am thankful for that.
The assessment was done by a nurse prescriber and an occupational therapist. The nurse took history to supplement what I had written on the forms, talking about work and education and including all family and life-related things which might have impacted me or cause the kinds of problems I have had. This took about at least an hour and a half. Then the OT went through the ADHD diagnostic criteria, under each heading seeing whether I had any problems, both now and as a child, and if possible coming up with examples. Like most people I guess I don't have significant problems under every heading (for example, I don't mind waiting in queues), but I just considered each one honestly and had no difficulty coming up with enough material. As recommended I took a friend who has known me a long time (since school) and he also helped. The entire thing took 4 hours. We didn't do a great deal of waiting around either, so most of that was talking. It was pretty draining. Take food.
At the end we had a summary interview where I was told I would get a diagnosis of ADHD (still to be formally confirmed but apparently quite clear), we discussed a bit about how I felt about that, some steps I can take myself now to help things improve and in general terms the kind of follow-up there will be. What exactly will take place in terms of treatment was not determined, as we have to get the report written up, sent to the GP, and so forth. But I am to expect a follow-up appointment in about three months and we will take it from there. Both the staff I met were friendly and professional, I had confidence in what they were saying and they were easy to question and get answers from. I also had a good experience dealing with the service on the phone. All round very positive so far.
So that's it, one person's experience in one area. Comments or questions welcome.