Advice needed on accompanying to appointments

Specific disabilities and conditions
1

Hi everyone,

I’m a carer for my husband who has depression and anxiety. He’s also waiting for a DAANA appointment to assess for autism (18 months wait so far, and at least another year to go, we found out recently).He’s been offered a face to face appointment for counselling (which is good as he can’t handle phone calls or Zoom). He asked the provider if I could accompany him to the first session and they have said no. I can get him settled, but not sit in on the appointment.

Does he have the right to insist I am there or are the NHS right? I understand there are issues around patient confidentiality, but this is at the patient’s request, not the carer’s.

Any advice gratefully received.
Elli

2

They have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people!!!
I found the prospect of counselling very difficult, I knew I needed it, but it would have been so much easier for me if someone had come along with me to the initial “ice breaker”.

3

It might be an idea to speak to Mind or Autism UK.