We have been informed that the local Redbridge adults ADHD pathway run by North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) has closed to new referrals. We are therefore unable to refer you to them for assessment, diagnosis or treatment.
We understand and appreciate that this may cause you concern. However, you can still access ADHD assessment, diagnostic and treatment services through Right to Choose.
Right to Choose
Right to Choose gives NHS patients in England the legal right to choose their mental health provider and their mental health team. This means that you can choose an alternative provider for ADHD care. While your GP decides whether a referral is appropriate, you have the right to choose which provider they refer you to under Right to Choose.
Choosing a Provider
If you wish to use Right to Choose, you must identify and choose the private provider you wish to be seen by and request a referral to them. Your GP is not required to give a recommendation on a provider. The Right to Choose provider must have an appropriate contact to deliver care under Right to Choose. It can be helpful to contact the provider and obtain a copy of their referral form to provide to your GP.
We recommend you review ADHD UK’s summary of Right to Choose providers, available at https://adhduk.co.uk/right-to-choose/. They have a table of providers which is updated regularly and advise on what service they provide. Not every provider provides the same service, for example, some do not offer prescriptions, only a diagnosis.
ADHD UK are a leading UK charity and may also be able to assist you in identifying and choosing a Right to Choose provider if you are having difficulties, you can contact them at https://adhduk.co.uk/contact-us/.
Shared Care and Prescriptions
Shared care is when your GP and a specialist, for example, a psychiatrist, manage your NHS care together. In ADHD, this usually means that a psychiatrist will assess, diagnose and then initiate treatment, but your GP is responsible for ongoing prescribing and monitoring. GP practices are not obligated to enter shared care arrangements.
As a practice, we will consider shared care agreements for ADHD prescriptions on a case-by-case basis. We make these decisions based on evidence of continued consultant yearly reviews - we cannot prescribe where a patient has been discharged from specialist care. Please discuss this with us, so we can better inform you of the possible options for ongoing care following a diagnosis and any initiated treatment.
For further information on Right to Choose and Patient Choice, please visit https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-the-nhs/your-choices-in-the-nhs.
Once you have identified a provider and confirmed your eligibility with them, please provide us with a copy of their referral form. If appropriate, we will then refer you to their service for assessment, diagnosis and treatment.
Further support and information
Living with ADHD or suspected ADHD can be very challenging and can impact mental health and wellbeing, for example, causing increased levels of anxiety or low mood. As well as speaking with your GP, you may wish to consider the following resources and supports:
· ADHD UK – a UK charity, who offer up-to-date information and advice, as well as online support groups: www.adhduk.co.uk
· ADDIS – National Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service, provide accessible information and advice: www.addis.co.uk
· NHS Every Mind Matters – NHS mental health advice, resources and support tools: www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/.
· NHS Talking Therapies – people with ADHD may also experience mental health problems, if you wish to access psychological support for a mental health condition, you can self-refer to Redbridge Talking Therapies: www.talkingtherapies.nelft.nhs.uk/redbridge, or call 0300 300 1554.
· MIND – ADHD – information and advice on living with ADHD from a UK mental health charity: www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/adhd-and-mental-health/.