ADHD Assessments information – Non NHS Providers

ADHD Assessments/Referrals information – Non NHS Providers

Due to the extremely high waiting times, many patients are now opting to have an ADHD Assessment through Non-NHS providers. It is recognised that these services are currently delivered by a range of practitioners with variable levels of training and competence, and we would advise patients seeking out an assessment to be diligent when researching a provider.

It is important to note that if you undergo an ADHD Assessment with a Non-NHS provider, this will be self-funded. You will need to meet the costs of your ADHD Assessment, reviews, monitoring and ongoing medication as our practice cannot take over the ‘shared care’ prescribing of this medication.

‘Right to Choose’ Process

Shared Care Agreements

Sometimes the care of a patient is shared between two doctors, usually a GP and a specialist, and there is a formalised written ‘shared care agreement’ setting out the position of each, to which both parties have willingly agreed. Where these arrangements are in place, GP providers can arrange the prescriptions and appropriate investigations, and the results are fully dealt with by clinicians with the necessary competence under the shared care arrangement. There is NHS guidance available about this.

Shared Care with private providers is not recommended due to the general NHS constitution principle of keeping as clear a separation as possible between private and NHS care. Shared Care is currently set up as an NHS service, and entering into a shared care arrangement may have implications around governance and quality assurance as well as promoting health inequalities. A private patient seeking access to shared care should therefore have their care completely transferred to the NHS. Shared care may be appropriate where private providers are providing commissioned NHS services and where appropriate shared care arrangements are in place.

All shared care arrangements are voluntary, so even where agreements are in place, practices can decline shared care requests on clinical and capacity grounds. The responsibility for the patient’s care and ongoing prescribing then remains the responsibility of the private provider.

NHS Prescriptions

Where a patient has been seen by an NHS service and is receiving prescriptions from our GP’s – if a medication shortage occurs, you will be required to go back to the ADHD specialist for alternative medication as our GP’s are unable to do this due to this being a specialist prescribing area and the required monitoring attached to it.