Advice needed on accompanying to appointments

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

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”.

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