What is ADHD?
ADHD is a neurodiverse developmental condition that is diagnosed and treated by a specialist understand your options if you would like to be referred to an ADHD specialist. GPs are unable to make a diagnosis or start ADHD medications. In view of extremely high national demand for Adult ADHD services it is our aim as a practice to help you understand your options if you would like to be referred to an ADHD specialist.
Patients Journey
- GP appointment
- Service user form sent by GP or Sec
- Complete Form – passed back to referring GP
- GP’s confirm if referral is to go ahead and if so, provide referral letter
- Referral is processed and confirmation text is sent to the patient
Service Choices
Assessment and Medication
RTC Assessment and Medication
Online-Only service
RTC Assessment and Medication funded for 1 year
(NHS £9.65 prescription fee)
RTC Assessment only
No Medication available under RTC
RTC Assessment only
No Medication available under RTC
RTC Assessment only
No Medication available under RTC
What is the
Right to Choose pathway?
The RTC pathway, gives patients the right to choose their service provider for mental health & physical health conditions. More information about the Right to Choose pathway can be found on the NHS England website.
If the eligibility criteria are met, the NHS will fund your assessment and treatment.
We recommend the following link for detailed RTC information regarding ADHD pathways: How to get an NHS Assessment via ‘Right to Choose’
Please note the pathway only applies to services in England. The pathway does not apply to services that are part of NHS Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.
How do I request a
Right to Choose referral?
When referring via the NHS under the right to choose, a GP appointment is the first step.
The GP will ask you questions relating to your symptoms to determine whether an assessment is clinically necessary.
The GP will need to review your ASRS form. If you have not already done so, please download and complete: ASRS Form to complete.
If the GP determines that an assessment is required, you can advise them in the appointment that you wish to exercise your right to choose.
You MUST confirm your choice of Right to Choose service.
You can also confirm this by emailing [email protected] or calling the secretaries on 0113 295 4488 using option 2
Shared Care Agreements
At the end of the titration period a Shared Care Agreement is sent to the GP by the ADHD service. This is an agreement made between the ADHD Specialist and the GP which enables the GP to take over the prescribing. Most referring GPs are happy to take this on, but there is no obligation for them to do so. There are also some areas of England where certain medications cannot be prescribed by a GP and they are legally unable to accept the SCA.
A Shared Care Agreement can only be set up after the following conditions are met:
The patient must have received an ADHD diagnosis by a specialist and has been monitored by the specialist until stabilized on medication. The patient must continue to have annual reviews with the specialist.
The Specialist may request physical health monitoring to be carried out by the GP. E.g. Blood tests and/or ECG.
The frequency of this monitoring will be determined by the specialist and the GP will follow clinical guidelines. Some services may offer their own monitoring.
The Shared Care Agreement documentation must be received from the Specialist and will form a part of your Medical Record.
Occasionally, E.G. if a patients circumstances change, the GP may hand the prescribing back to the Specialist. This is at the GP’s discretion and the patient would be fully informed.
There is some variation nationally between GP practices regarding Shared Care Agreements.
This may mean that any existing Shared Care Agreements held with a previous GP would be at the discretion of LSMP to continue and will be subject to local prescribing guidelines.
Similarly, a Shared Care Agreement set up with LSMP, may not be continued if you change GP practices in the future.
Private ADHD Assessments
Due to the extremely high waiting times, many patients are now opting to have a Private ADHD Assessment.
It is important to note that if you undergo a Private ADHD Assessment this will be self-funded.
You will have to cover the costs of your ADHD Assessment. Annual Reviews. Medication Reviews. Private Prescription Fees.
If you would like your GP to take over the prescription – The above conditions need to be met for a Shared Care Agreement to be considered (please see Shared Care Agreement information above).
If the GP agrees to a Shared Care Agreement with the Private Specialist. You will still need to attend and pay for any Reviews. Your prescription will be changed to the NHS fee. If you wish for all your treatment to be under the NHS – You will need to be re-referred to an NHS service (please see the Service Choices above).
A Referral to an NHS service can be sent with a copy of your original diagnosis report.
It is important to be aware that some Private Services ADHD Diagnosis Reports are not recognised by the NHS.
This means, should you wish to change your care to the NHS, the NHS Specialist may request that you undergo a new assessment.
International Students / Medication Adderall
Some countries, such as the US may prescribe Adderall to treat ADHD. Unfortunately, Adderall cannot be prescribed by an NHS Clinician in the UK. However, whilst in the UK, you may be able to access alternative ADHD Medications. Adderral may still be available via a Private Prescription from a Private ADHD Specialist.
Please see the Private ADHD Assessments information above.
Private or NHS referrals
If you have a current ADHD diagnosis and are on medication and you wish to arrange medication via the NHS after arriving in the UK, you will need to be referred to an NHS Titration service. For an NHS referral it is a good idea to get as much documentation as possible from your current doctor. However, it is possible that you will have to complete some diagnostic testing again, even with a prior diagnosis. It may take some time to access NHS ADHD Treatment as the waiting lists for services are long. Prescriptions from your overseas Psychiatrist will not be valid to be fulfilled by a UK Pharmacy.
If you wish to seek a Private referral – Please see the Private ADHD Assessment information above.
Update RE ADHD Medication: National Shortage
In Autumn of 2023, the Government announced that there were national supply issues affecting medications for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) The shortage of these products was caused by a combination of manufacturing issues and an increase in global demand. Please see the below link which highlights supply disruptions and a full list of the medications affected.
NHS – National Supply Shortage of Medicines for ADHD
