Comment EDITOR’S COMMENTwith LOUISE FRAMPTON THE CLINICAL SERVICES JOURNAL Editor
Louise Frampton
louiseframpton@stepcomms.com
Technical Editor Kate Woodhead
Journal Administration Katy Cockle
katycockle@stepcomms.com
Design Steven Dillon
Business Manager
James Scrivens
jamesscrivens@stepcomms.com
Senior Sales Executive Adam Yates
adamyates@stepcomms.com
Publisher Geoff King
geoffking@stepcomms.com
Publishing Director Trevor Moon
trevormoon@stepcomms.com
STEP COMMUNICATIONS ISSN No. 1478-5641
© Step Communications Ltd, 2025 Single copy: £19.00 per issue. Annual journal subscription: UK £114.00 Overseas: £150.00
The Clinical Services Journal is published in January, February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October and November by Step Communications Ltd, Step House, North Farm Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3DR, UK.
Tel: +44 (0)1892 779999 Email:
info@clinicalservicesjournal.com Web:
www.clinicalservicesjournal.com
The Publisher is unable to take any responsibility for views
expressed by contributors. Editorial views are not necessarily shared by the journal. Readers are expressly advised that while the contents of this publication are believed to be accurate, correct and complete, no reliance should be placed upon its contents as being applicable to any particular circumstances.
This publication is copyright under the Berne Convention and the International Copyright Convention.
All rights reserved, apart from any copying under the UK
Copyright Act 1956, part 1, section 7. Multiple copies of the contents of the publication without permission is always illegal.
Follow us: @csjmagazine
Follow the CSJ LinkedIn page. Search Clinical Services Journal
The healthcare system is failing autistic individuals (and neurodivergent individuals in general), and there needs to be better training, awareness, diagnosis, support and understanding, to tackle healthcare inequalities. A study by Weir et al, in 2022, found that autistic individuals report lower quality healthcare
than others. The large-scale survey found that autistic people were far less likely to say that they could describe how their symptoms feel in their body, describe how bad their pain feels, explain what their symptoms are, and understand what their healthcare professional means when they discuss their health. Autistic people were also less likely to know what is expected of them when they go to see their healthcare professional, and to feel they are provided with appropriate support after receiving a diagnosis, of any kind. Autistic people were over seven times more likely to report that their senses frequently
overwhelm them so that they have trouble focusing on conversations with healthcare professionals. In addition, they were over three times more likely to say they frequently leave their healthcare professional’s office feeling as though they did not receive any help at all. Autistic people were also four times more likely to report experiencing shutdowns or meltdowns due to a common healthcare scenario. The researchers created an overall ‘health inequality score’. Differences in healthcare experiences were stark: the models could predict whether or not a participant was autistic with 72% accuracy based only on their ‘health inequality score’. Dr. Elizabeth Weir, the lead researcher of the study, said: “Current healthcare systems are
failing to meet very fundamental needs of autistic people.” The latest data also shows that the number of autistic people without a learning disability detained in mental health hospitals has increased by 141% since 2015. In 2015, autistic people made up 38% of the total number in hospital, now it is 72% (Source: National Autistic Society). Behind these statistics are fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, husbands, wives, brothers,
sisters, aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces…They are English teachers, art teachers, senior civil servants, Bletchley Park alumni, self-made millionaires, multilinguists, brilliant students with brilliant minds… And that’s just my neurodiverse family… They deserve to be listened to, and every effort made to reduce their anxiety when accessing health services – because their lives matter. I have seen first-hand how challenging and distressing accessing healthcare can be for neurodiverse individuals. Recently, an autistic meltdown in A&E led to an elderly family member being threatened with being sectioned under the mental health act. This further escalated their anxiety, fear and mistrust. Yet with kindness, understanding, training, and accommodation, it is possible to deliver safe, dignified and compassionate care for all. I am delighted, therefore, that the Association for Perioperative Practice will be welcoming
Paula McGowan OBE as a speaker at its Annual Conference on Friday 8 August 2025. A passionate and fearless campaigner, Paula will share her deeply personal story and legacy of her son, Oliver McGowan. Oliver tragically died in 2016, following a series of preventable failures in care. Against the explicit wishes of his family and in contradiction to medical warnings, Oliver was repeatedly prescribed antipsychotic medications that he was known to react adversely to. A lack of understanding around autism, poor communication between clinicians and caregivers, inappropriate use of restraint, and a failure to adapt environments to meet his needs all contributed to Oliver’s deterioration. His story is a stark reminder of what happens when practitioners fail to ask, listen, and act in partnership with those who know the patient best. This is a must attend session at AfPP and I will be sure to have a front row seat. Visit: https://
conference.afpp.org.uk to secure your place too.
louiseframpton@stepcomms.com Get in touch and give us your views, email me:
August 2025 I
www.clinicalservicesjournal.com 5
Autism and healthcare: a stark reminder
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
