We are receiving an increasing number of calls from patients wishing to discuss ADHD diagnosis and treatment, so we have summarised the information about this for you here.
GP practices cannot diagnose or start treatment for ADHD; this must be done by a specialist. There are several pathways you can take to see a specialist:
NHS Referrals
NHS referrals to a local ADHD team via your GP practice is the most straightforward route but waiting lists are currently very long and it can take up to 3 years for this referral to go through.
However, once done, you will be able to meet face to face with a local consultant to discuss your symptoms and be assessed free-of-charge. If you are prescribed medication for your condition, we will be able to provide these for you at Village Health Group once you have been stabilised. Any ongoing monitoring* required can also be done for you by us.
NHS Right To Choose Referrals
Selected private providers have also been accepted as NHS Right To Choose providers. This means you can choose to have an NHS referral sent through to them, rather than the local team.
Waiting lists tend to be shorter than referral to the local team but longer than approaching these providers privately. Details of providers currently offering Right To Choose referrals can be found here https://adhduk.co.uk/right-to-choose/
If you wish to take this route, please choose a provider and contact us to initiate the referral – if you approach these providers directly, and not through us, that will be classed as a private referral.
Following this route will mean that your consultations and medication are provided free of charge and once stable, ongoing monitoring* and medication may be provided by Village Health Group for you once the specialists correctly handover your care to the practice.
Private Diagnosis/Treatment
If you decide to see a consultant privately about ADHD, this will probably be the quickest route to diagnosis and treatment.
However, you will need to self-fund all appointments and medications – we cannot engage in shared care with private providers, so you will need to have all assessments and monitoring done by your private provider and will not be able to receive your medication on an NHS prescriptions, even once stable. Do not follow this route unless you are prepared for this.
*Failure to comply with the required monitoring and ongoing reviews by the specialists will mean that we will have to stop supplying your medications, as we cannot ensure that they remain safe for you