GP registrars offered neurodiversity screening to help them succeed, conference hears

Lynne Cameron/PA Wire

By Erin Dean

All GP registrars in Yorkshire and Humber are offered neurodiversity screening at the start of training to support early diagnosis and help them “flourish”, a conference has heard.

Since 2021, about 1800 trainees have taken the 15-minute test, with 500 of those going on to have a neurodiversity assessment with an educational psychologist.

Dr Liz Stonell, NHS England Yorkshire and Humber associate dean and Wakefield GP, started the scheme after coming across registrars who were often excellent doctors in many ways but were struggling with aspects of work or exams.

“There's got to be a better way of helping neurodivergent doctors identify the challenges, flourish and actually succeed without the distress of the failures,” she told the Royal College of General Practitioners annual conference in Liverpool.

The in-depth assessment, funded by NHS Yorkshire and Humber, will diagnose if doctors neurodivergence, dyslexia, dyscalculia and specific learning difference. Traits of ADHD and autism can be identified, but not diagnosed, Dr Stonell said.