Disabled Railcard Application Criteria

[Kumquat]

That's really strange if you're in England. The guidelines say to refer for audiological assessment adults who present for the first time with hearing difficulties, after excluding an ear infection or impacted earwax. And the wait times are some of the shortest in the NHS - under 6 weeks for the majority of patients.

There's a shortage of senior audiologists in some areas. I had to wait over a year a couple years ago, for a hearing test, because I'm under 65 and 'complicated'. And that's with being in the system already.

 

[Deerfold]

There's a shortage of senior audiologists in some areas. I had to wait over a year a couple years ago, for a hearing test, because I'm under 65 and 'complicated'. And that's with being in the system already.

Oddly, my local hospital reports that more than half of people wait less than 2 weeks, but I waited 8 months.

 

[Haywain]

Oddly, my local hospital reports that more than half of people wait less than 2 weeks, but I waited 8 months.

Wrong half!!

 

[Railguy1]

A GP cannot make an Autism assessment or diagnosis, unless specifically qualified and authorized which is unlikely.
A GP may be able to provide original documentation, most cannot. *
.
Also:
In England, Asperger's is no longer a separate clinical condition with its own diagnosis.
ADHD unlike Autism is not a permanent 'disability'.
An Autism diagnosis by itself does not entitle PIP.
.
People with an Autism diagnosis can apply for an ENCTS Disability pass and then a Disability Railcard. In the past some authorities refused ENCTS applications based on an Autism diagnosis only. This should not be the case now.
.
*Parents etc., keep every scrap of documentation from specialist, doctor, school, benefit claims, awards, etc., forever!

There is a lot here that seems to be misleading or perhaps wrong:

• Many, if not most GPs can provide documentation as your Autism or ADHD diagnosis will very likely be sent to your GP surgery unless the patient was treated privately and explicitly requested that not to be the case
• ADHD can qualify as a disability
• ADHD symptoms can improve in adulthood but saying it isn’t permanent is a bizarre phrase
• People with an autism diagnosis are not automatically entitled to an ENCTS bus pass
• People with an autism diagnosis are not automatically entitled to a disabled railcard - the new criteria establishes that they may be entitled if proof is also provided that there are difficulties with using rail services
• People will continue to be rejected for a railcard and ENCTS bus pass if they do not fulfil the requirements or cannot provide evidence that they do - this includes those with autism who may not fulfil the criteria.