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ADHD right to choose referrals and shared care
As per new guidance, we will not be able to enter into a shared care agreement with any private or right to choose providers. All prescriptions will need to be issued by the specialist for the full duration of your treatment.
In recent years there has been increased awareness about ADHD resulting a large increase in request for referrals. This has unfortunately caused long delays for assessments in the NHS services with waiting times of several years in many cases. These delays can be very distressing, and many people are now requesting referrals to other providers under NHS right to choose rules.
Adult ADHD referrals
If you wish to be referred for an ADHD assessment under NHS right to choose, please look at the information on the link below and select a provider. Please check that your chosen provider can also prescribe if you think you might need medication for ADHD.
See right to choose information on the ADHD UK website
Selecting a service
Please select the service to which you would like to be referred and complete the required forms on the provider’s website. Most right to choose providers have forms on their websites that you will need to complete. Once this is done, please book an appointment to see a clinician to request a referral. Bring the forms with you to your appointment so the practice can attach them to your referral.
Making an appointment
When making an appointment with the GP, please clearly advise that you are requesting an NHS right to choose referral for ADHD and state your chosen provider. Ensure all forms are completed before attending the GP appointment.
Children’s ADHD referrals
In children, ADHD is predominantly an educational issue, and most referrals should be done by schools. Unfortunately, due to long waits in the NHS service we are getting more requests for NHS right to choose referrals to private providers.
For any ADHD or ASD referral for a child, the parent and school pack will need to be completed in full and submitted with the referral. This is usually completed and submitted by schools.
Request a right to choose ADHD referral
To request a right to choose ADHD referral for your child please select a provider who can offer diagnosis (and medication if required) for your child’s age group.
Making an appointment
When making an appointment with the GP, please clearly advise that you are requesting an NHS right to choose referral for ADHD & state your chosen provider. Ensure all forms are completed before attending the GP appointment.
ADHD treatments and shared care
All ADHD drugs are classified as Amber (requiring specialist care) in Northamptonshire and are subject to shared care rules. This means that they cannot be prescribed independently by a GP and need to be overseen by a specialist. These medications require monitoring due to potentially serious side effects.
When patients are stable on treatment, prescribing may only be transferred to a GP in line with agreed shared care protocols. We currently only have agreed shared care with NHFT (local NHS provider). If patients are seen by private providers, prescribing should remain with this provider. This also applies to patients who see private providers via NHS Right to Choose. We do not have any shared care protocols with Right to Choose providers so cannot take over prescribing, even if they send us a shared care agreement. Right to choose providers can issue NHS prescriptions to patients who have been referred under NHS right to choose system so patients should not need to pay for treatment.
Patients who decide to pay privately for an ADHD assessment or treatment would not be eligible for shared care or NHS prescriptions under this guidance.
Local Support Services
All Ages
Enfold
A charity providing services to the Autistic Community in Northamptonshire
CHAT Health
The local free confidential and 24/7 crisis support text messaging service (Text 07480635531) or call 0800 448 0828
Shout
the UK’s free, confidential and 24/7 mental health text service for crisis support (Text 85248).
Northampton Carers Association
Support to informal carers in Northamptonshire
Sport4Fitness
Dedicated to making sport, physical activity, and wellbeing accessible to all in Northamptonshire
AuDHD Community Embraced
Neurodiversity support group in Corby
Children and Young People
SENDIASS
Information, advice, and support for families of children with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Specialist Support Service (North Northamptonshire)
The SEND Support Service offers advice and support to children, young people, families, carers and a range of educational establishments for children with a wide range of special educational needs and/or autism, aged 0 to 19 years
Inclusion and Intervention Service (West Northamptonshire, formerly known as Specialist Support Service)
Support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) aged 0 to 19 across West Northamptonshire, with 2 distinct offers – Early Years and School Age - both of which provide a family offer
iDiscover
iDiscover is a community of children, young people, families, and carers in Northamptonshire offering free courses, workshops, and resources to help you grow.
The Reach Collaborative
The REACH collaborative provides services for children, young people and their families to have free access to evidence-based early intervention services that improve their mental health, emotional wellbeing and resilience. REACH also offers a range of other services to support CYP and their families, such as drop-in cafes, Re:Start, LGBTQ+ support groups, social groups, and Happy Heads - more details are available on the website.
Northamptonshire Parent Carer Voices
Supporting families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
WNVP West Northants Voices in Partnership
Parent carer forum for parents of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in the west of Northamptonshire.
SENDsational Families CIC
Champions mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health and wellbeing of adults raising children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with or without a formal diagnosis.
SENDS 4 Dad
Support for dads and male carers who have a child or adult with special educational needs and/or a disability
Northants SEND Mummas
Peer support group for mothers and female carers of SEND children.
Spectrum Club (Northamptonshire)
Autism support group for parents of autistic children across Northamptonshire
Brackley & District SEND Support Group
The Brackley and District SEND Support Group is a supportive parent-led online community that meets twice each month for coffee or tea and a chat.
North Northants Family Hubs
North Northamptonshire single point of contact for families with children 0 to 19 or up to 25 years old if they have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and the staff will be able to give you information, advice and support.
Towcester Family Hub
Towcester is open and two more will be opening soon.
Adults Only
Recovery College
Offers a range of different courses to help adults and others to understand health conditions and help with recovery.
Northamptonshire Mind
Supporting mental health needs in Northamptonshire.
National Support
National Autistic Society
Founded in 1962, they are the UK’s leading charity for autistic people and their families. Their goal is to help transform lives, change attitudes and create a society that works for autistic people.
Autism Independent UK
Autism Independent UK helps to increase awareness of autism to the notice of all, together with well established and newly developed approaches in the diagnosis, assessment, education and treatment.
Dimensions
They support people with learning disabilities and autism to have a louder voice, choice and control in their lives.
ASD Helping Hands
ASD Helping Hands will support all service users affected by an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) regardless of age or what stage of life they are at. We aim to offer guidance, practical advice and support whether you are personally affected or you are an associated family member, carer, friend or professional. We will actively champion the rights of all people affected by an ASD and aim to make a positive difference to their lives while delivering a service that is accessible, reliable and trust
Autistica
They are the UK’s leading autism research and campaigning charity. Their mission is to create breakthroughs that enable all autistic people to live happier, healthier, longer lives. They do this through research, shaping policy and working with autistic people.
Neurodiversity UK
Neurodiversity UK helps organisations move beyond awareness and into action. Our training gives people the confidence, language and practical tools to support neurodivergent colleagues well, while our coaching helps individuals better understand how they work, build on their strengths and put strategies in place that genuinely help.
ADHD Foundation
We’re the foundation that supports the 1 in 5 of us who are neurodiverse, with advocacy, support & research.
Providing NHS Services
Contact
Springfield Surgery
Springfield Way
Brackley
Northamptonshire
NN13 6JJ