Overview
It’s designed to identify what’s going well, what challenges need addressing, where there might be gaps, and where there are successes.
The results and recommendations can in turn help develop the ICS strategy and deliver positive outcomes.
Publication date
September 2023
Key findings
Understanding and training
Neurodiversity has a profound impact on people’s lives. The pathway to diagnosis has often been long and difficult and whether or not they are further impacted by learning difficulties, they all still have to constantly try and make their brain work to fit their surroundings. All interactions with healthcare providers produce specific challenges, so appreciating these, and dealing sympathetically with them through training and understanding is key.
Consistency
To deliver excellent care, there is a crucial need to build a relationship and trust, allowing neurodivergent patients to be relaxed and open. Without conversation they will struggle to explain their concerns. Consistency of who they are seeing, the consultation room they are in, the time of their appointments, the day of the week, all means a lot.
Environment
Neurodiversity often leads to anxiety before, during and after healthcare appointments. It can lead to appointments being missed and healthy outcomes affected. The physical and emotional environment a person finds themselves in from the moment they enter a building can make a significant difference. The receptionist, privacy, quiet space, the confidence they haven’t missed their slot, etc are all factors in this.
Appointment making
It can be difficult to remember when to call and difficult to plan ahead for those with neurodiversity. Life is very much lived in the now. Being on hold and then having to talk about why you’ve made the call can be overwhelming. There is increased anxiety through a sense of no priority equating to lack of caring.
Additional information
Survey by Healthwatch Essex.
Healthwatch Hertfordshire and Healthwatch Essex have been commissioned by the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) Primary Care Workstream to undertake a series of engagement projects.
The aims of the engagement projects include:
- Gathering lived experiences to feed directly into the Hertfordshire and West Essex ICS
Primary Care Workstream. - Supporting and enabling the Hertfordshire and West Essex ICS to achieve wider
participant engagement. - Engaging patients and the public on programmes covering key priorities and areas of
importance at a regional and local level. - Making recommendations to the Hertfordshire and West Essex ICS Primary Care
Workstream so improvements can be implemented.