Our ref: MS/BH/JFS/FOI709

8th June 2010

Dear Mr McWilliams,

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

I am writing concerning your request for information under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. I can confirm the following in response to your questions below.

I would like to know how many Adults have been assessed and treated under Tameside and Glossop Primary Care Trust for Aspergers syndrome in Adults?
Specifically, how many:

  1. Referred by a GP or health professional?

Please note figures for referrals for diagnostic assessment will not be accurate, because most enquiries are dealt with informally.

Furthermore NHS Tameside and Glossop does not have diagnostic capability for adults within the PCT’s boundaries. As a result GPs and health professionals are advised to refer to psychiatry and/or psychology services with Pennine Care.

  1. Diagnosed for Aspergers by a Tameside and Glossop PCT
    psychiatrist/psychologist?

NHS Tameside and Glossop’s Primary Care Mental Health Service does not make diagnostic assessments for Aspergers Syndrome.

Rrequests for diagnosis are submitted to the Effective Use of Resources panel. When requests are approved individuals access specialist diagnostic assessments in Sheffield.

Having been diagnosed individuals can then access services within the Tameside and Glossop area.

Since 2007 there have been 8 individuals diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome following referral to Sheffield.

  1. Diagnosed by a psychiatrist/psychologist by another heath authority after being referred to by a Tameside and Glossop PCT psychiatrist/psychologist?

NHS Tameside and Glossop psychiatrists/psychologists would not make referrals to another health authority in relation to Aspergers syndrome. Referrals to outside the area for diagnosis would usually come from GPs or through the Effective Use of Resources Panel, as discussed above.

  1. Dignosed by a psychiatrist/psychologist by a (NHS) clinic
    specialising in Aspergers, after being referred to by Tameside and Glossop PCT psychiatrist/psychologist?

Please see responses above.

Re-Use Of Information

Most of the information that we provide in response to Freedom of Information Act 2000 requests will be subject to copyright protection. In most cases the copyright will be owned by Tameside and Glossop Primary Care Trust. The copyright in other information may be owned by another person or organisation, as indicated in the information itself: in this case you must apply to the copyright owner to obtain their permission.

You are free to use any information supplied for your own use, including for non-commercial research purposes. It may also be used for the purposes of news reporting. However, any other type of re-use, for example, by publishing the information or issuing copies to the public will require the permission of the copyright owner.

Contact And Appeal

If you have any queries about the contents of this response, please contact Mrs B Hawkins or Mr M Simonby e-mail at the following e-mail address:

bytelephone, 0161 304 5307.

If you wish to appeal against the PCT’s response to your request please forward your complaint to the Chief Executive of the PCTeither at the above e-mail address or by post at the address provided below toensure that your complaint is investigated. A response will be provided to you within 20 working days of receipt.

Chief Executive

Tameside and Glossop Primary care Trust

New Century House

Progress Way

Windmill Lane

Denton

M34 2GP

Yours sincerely

MARK SIMON

HEAD OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, RISK AND COMPLAINTS

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