24 May 2016

Resources to Support GPS Deliver Care to Autistic Patients Sent to Every Practice in England

Resource packs to support GPs and their teams to make their surgeries more visibly friendly for patients with an Autism Spectrum Disorder have been sent to every GP practice in England this week.

The packs, developed by the Royal College of GPs (RCGP), aim to support GP practices to meet the commitments in the RCGP Autism Patient Charter, which provides a framework for making GP surgeries more visibly friendly for those on the autistic spectrum.

Resources in the pack include a guide for patients on the autistic spectrum to help them get the most out of their GP visit, and a guide for GPs to support effectively consultations with patients on the autistic spectrum.

The packs have been developed by the College in collaboration with a number of organisations, including Autism Alliance UK who co-produced the Autism Patient Charter, and Research Autism. The pack also contains information from Newcastle University about two national autistic spectrum disorders research projects.

Dr Maureen Baker, Chair of the Royal College of GPs said: “I’m proud that the College is leading the way in taking steps to ensure our patients on the autistic spectrum receive the best possible, specific care they need. 

“Autistic Spectrum Disorder is a clinical priority for the RCGP, under the leadership of Dr Carole Buckley, and the work that is being done will provide support to primary healthcare workers in the implementation of the Adult Autism Strategy.”

For more information on this work and for tools to support your practice, please visit: http://www.rcgp.org.uk/ASD

Further Information

RCGP Press office: 020 3188 7574/7575/7581
Out of hours: 0203 188 7659
press@rcgp.org.uk

Notes

The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 50,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.