National register will help GPs deliver better care to autistic people, says NICE

NICE is calling on GPs to develop a national autism register to ensure autistic people receive the tailored care they need.

The register will mean GPs will be able to easily identify patients on the autistic spectrum, helping staff to adapt their approach to suit their patient’s needs.

A Westminster Autism Commission report said this work would end the statistical ‘invisibility’ of autism within the healthcare system.

The term ‘autistic spectrum disorder’ includes both mild and severe forms of the condition. Differing levels in cognitive ability, sensory problems and the presence of learning disabilities can make diagnosis difficult and may lead to people being overlooked by healthcare, education and social care professionals.

There are around 700,000 autistic people in the UK, with 70 per cent of autistic adults saying they do not get enough social service support, and one in three experiencing a mental health problem.

Emily Christou, national strategy coordinator, Westminster commission on autism, said: “One of the most compelling strands of evidence found in our recent healthcare inquiry, was the critical need for an indicator for autism. Without this, GP surgeries cannot be expected to make reasonable adjustments for patients with autism and as such patients will continue to feel that their healthcare needs are going unmet. We warmly welcome this most important NICE indicator.”

Dr Andrew Black, GP Mortimer Medical Practice and deputy chair of the NICE indicator advisory committee, said: “GPs play a vital role in helping vulnerable people to get the correct diagnosis and the support they need. This new NICE indicator will help them to achieve that.

“The Westminster Autism Commission report found the majority of people diagnosed with autism felt a register would be beneficial to them. However, we know some people may feel being on a register means a label will be placed upon them, and this makes them uncomfortable.”