Calls for funds to tackle Highland's adult autism diagnosis waiting list
Figures obtained by MFR News show 244 adults across the NHS Highland area are currently on the adult autism diagnosis waiting list.
Last updated 7th Nov 2021
An Inverness woman's calling for more funding to help lower the amount of adults across Highland waiting for an autism diagnosis.
Figures obtained by MFR News show 244 adults across the NHS Highland area are currently on the adult autism diagnosis waiting list.
That's three times higher than 2015's figure which was around 80 people.
There is currently one full-time diagnostician employed by NHS Highland diagnosing adult autism.
Diagnosis "meant everything"
Carrie Watts, from Inverness, had to wait more than a year to find out whether she was autistic.
She said: "If anything I’m surprised it’s that low.
"Very often when adults ask their GP to pursue a diagnosis, the GP tells them it isn’t worth it as an adult, as if somehow once you become an adult you no longer face the same social pressures that children are facing.
"The biggest issues I had in awaiting my assessment were completing the questionnaire and then also the wait time and not really having a set amount of time to know I would have to wait.
"I was informed I was going to be put on the waiting list in January 2017.
"In April 2017 I called for an update and learned I was 109 on the wait list.
"They also advised me at that time they could not tell me in any detail how long it would take for me to move up the list because each assessment takes as long as it takes and they don’t make promises when you’ll be seen.
"I followed up again five months later to find that I was number 93.
"Eventually I was seen in February 2018, because living and working in Inverness I had the luxury of being able to take a last minute cancellation appointment when they called me and because I had been emailing so frequently they knew I was anxious.
"For those who are geographically further removed though, that simply wouldn’t have been possible and certainly not all autistic people are able to get themselves easily to and from the hospital to have that assessment.
"I was fortunate that I had the skills and the resources available to me to make that happen.
"Two months after that appointment, I received my diagnosis.
"I can’t stress enough how much that opened up my world.
"It took away all of this shame, anxiety and just being so broken.
"It meant everything to me to get that diagnosis."
Diagnosis service "underfunded and understaffed"
Carrie outlined how autism diagnosis for adults can allow them to access various services and improve mental health.
Although she had a positive experience with the medical professionals who helped her receive her diagnosis, she's urging for more funding to help them.
Carrie added: "Everybody I dealt with was wonderful.
"They were understanding and they gave me what information they could when they had it, but it’s the fault of underfunding the system.
"It’s so underfunded and understaffed that their hands are tied as to how many people they can help and how quickly they can help them.
"The very first thing that needs to happen is that we need to tell these people that we see them, we understand them and that we’re here to help.
"We can only do that by funding the NHS appropriately."
'Waiting list longer than we would like' - NHS Highland
NHS Highland say they're working with Scottish Government to reduce the amount of people waiting for a diagnosis across the region.
A spokesman said: "The waiting list for assessment of autism in adults in Highland is longer than we would like.
"Diagnosis for autism is a lengthy process involving gathering information from the person and their family as well as the actual assessment process with the person and the final written report from the diagnostician.
"We wish to reassure people that our team work closely with a wide range of services to ensure support if it is required whilst people are awaiting assessment, and we do prioritise those that have an urgent need for assessment - sometimes this is requested from the courts or other healthcare professionals.
"We are working closely with the Scottish Government to progress plans to improve our assessment pathway and post diagnostic support which will help us to reduce the number of people on our waiting list."