Hi everyone,

I was recently referred to the local Asperger's service (in south-west London) after getting a referral from my GP. I had a 2hr "information gathering" talk with someone who works for the service at a local clinic last Tuesday, who then referred up the chain to his boss, a "Practitioner Psychologist specialising in Asperger Syndrome". However, she also turns out to be an old friend of my sister's from school, who may also have known quite a few people who were hostile to me back then.

I told the man I talked to about this and asked if there was nobody else I could be referred to. He passed this onto her and she writes back and says:

I understand your predicament and I would like to confirm to you from my perspective that I do not have any conflicts of interest with conducting your Asperger syndrome diagnostic assessment.

As a Practitioner Psychologist I am bound by strict ethical codes, conduct and guidelines regulated by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and Health Professional Council (HPC). I uphold the highest standards of professionalism to promote and maintain ethical behaivour. Therefore, I can confirm I will not be communicating or sharing information with your sister regardeing your case. In addition, I will not be sharing information with other family members without your permission.

Please can you confirm in writing whether you would like to continue with the Asperger syndrome diagnostic assessment with me. (Contact details follow.)

Obviously, I can't cast any aspersions on this woman's professionalism, but I'd rather not discuss personal matters with someone who knows members of my family. There's always the risk of her spilling some secrets when she's drunk or something like that. Do I have the right to demand to see a different practitioner? Anyone know how this works in the UK?

Yes, you do have the right to demand a different practitioner.

You do not feel comfortable talking with her, you should ask for someone else. She should except that it is not her business to ask for an explanation. Saying you prefer someone else because  a family member knows her should be enough.

YES YOU DO- I don't think it is a conflict of interst to her- like it would be for a judge or soemthing like that...
I ALMOST THINK IT WOULD BE BETTER (EVEN FOR YOU) TO DEAL WITH HER... heck she may recall people being hostile to you or people like you and it MAY have impacted her to become a practitioner to HELP people.  

Also, she is not allowed to speak to your sister about it/you - and you don't need to mention to your sister your doctors name - people in her field ALWAYS run into people they have as "patients/clients"  because they live nearby where they work... Are you thinking you don't want your sister to know you might be on the aspergers spectrum?  then don't tell her.

Yes you do have a right to ask for another one but they might not have one (but only vaguely- I mean ther aren't many and you would be the one who would have to travel to find one ) similar to not wanting to go to a Doctor for something else because they live near you - it is up to you to go to a doctor FAR away enogh so NO one has ever known nyone you know.. not necessary in my opinion - and you asked.

My next door neighbors include 2 doctors and 3 nurses and they have patients from our town - but it is common practice to keep that separate. Heck they have patients that end up the teachers to their kids...

Good post amplexus -
Like the original poster said- if he would prefer not, then don't. Good luck finding someone else ready willing and able - it is not that easy here.

This post was last modified: 09-26-2011 05:52 PM by windy.

Yes i have the right to. Also, if she's really a pro, she might even refer you to another. As soon as you mention your intention of not going on with her, she should respect that.

Thanks everyone. I emailed her earlier today and got a reply from her saying that she did in fact know of someone else she could refer me to, so I have asked her to do that (I checked that we don't know the other person at all).

Wow, good for you.

Hope it works out for you

Yep.

Dont forget. Finding the right psy/counsellor can take time. And there isn't any shame to have for swithching from one to the other if one does not meet your requirement (as long as they are realistic), or is not suited for you.