#MyGPandMe is a campaign run by Dimensions to help make GP surgeries more accessible for people with learning disabilities and autism. Paul's story shows how team work and patience can make a world of difference. www.dimensions-uk.org/mygpandme

1. Overcoming
anxiety
Paul’s story

2. The challenge
Paul never liked unfamiliar settings with
unfamiliar people – it caused him great
anxiety.

3. The challenge
But it’s important for him to go to his
local GP surgery for appointments and
health checks.

4. The solution
His support team worked with him and
the GP surgery to help Paul prepare for
his trip.

5. The solution
They arranged for him to visit the surgery
every week for the six weeks leading up
to his first appointment.

6. The solution
They booked a taxi to the surgery and
took a flask of tea with his favourite
mug.

7. The solution
Every week Paul would sit in the waiting
room and drink his tea.

8. The solution
Over time he moved to the consultation
room and enjoyed his tea while chatting
with the staff.

9. The solution
Paul grew more comfortable with visiting
the GP surgery and the staff there
understood him better too.

10. The solution
They used his Communication Plan to
understand how to communicate better.
Paul is deaf so this really helped.

11. The outcome
With time and team work Paul’s anxieties
eased and he can go to the doctors
comfortably.

12. The outcome
(It also helps that after each visit he hops
in a taxi to his local pub.)

13. The outcome
Amazing work from Paul, his support team
and the staff at his GP surgery.