ADULT ADHD REFERRAL PROCESS

Here we will outline the options, responsibilities and referral process for an adult ADHD assessment. You do not need to have an appointment with a GP to be referred for an ADHD assessment.

If you are looking for information about children or young person ADHD assessments, click here

You can be referred on the NHS and this will provide you with a local, comprehensive face-to-face assessment and smooth transfer of prescribing if you are started on medication (see more details below). Unfortunately the waiting time for an NHS referral is currently more than 2 years. If you feel that this is too long to wait, you have the ‘Right to Choose’ an assessment from a provider in the private sector, under the NHS.

Right to Choose Pathway

Right to Choose (RTC) allows patients to choose their preferred NHS-contracted provider for ADHD assessments. This process is designed to ensure referrals are handled quickly and consistently while maintaining patient safety and minimising administrative burdens.

Choosing a RTC Provider

There are different private providers working under the RTC scheme for adult ADHD that have a contract to provide services to patients in Devon. GPs cannot select a provider on a patient’s behalf, you must research your options and choose a provider that meets your need. These providers are:

What about medication?

• The prescribing of ADHD medication is a common sticking point for patients. If medication is recommended for you it can only be started by the specialist, not your GP.  Once you have been established on medication your RTC provider may ask your GP to take over providing your prescriptions. To agree to this, we need them complete a formal Devon ‘Shared Care Agreement’ to be signed by both parties. You will need physical monitoring for side effects caused by the medication and this will have to be done by the specialist, not your GP. This part of the process often takes some time to get right but we are used to dealing with the challenges so please be patient. Each medication request will be considered on a case-by-case basis as we need to be happy that it is safe based on our knowledge of you and your medical history. More information about shared care can be found here: https://onedevon.org.uk/our-work/services-and-support/medicines-and-treatments/mixed-funding-private-and-nhs-shared-care-requests/?hilite=shared+care

To Proceed With a Referral

If you would like to go ahead with an ADHD referral please provide us with the following information

• A completed ADHD symptom checklist
• A completed detailed questionnaire about your symptoms
• Provide us with the name of the RTC provider you have chosen, or if you'd like an NHS referral
• The completed referral form from your RTC provider’s website (if not using NHS)
• You understand that choosing to see a RTC provider may mean that your GP cannot prescribe medication for you

Once we have all of this information, we will make the referral to your chosen provider, and you should expect to hear from them directly