Note to children/parents of, seeking private ADHD assessment

We are sympathetic to the issues that the long waiting lists for ADHD diagnosis on the NHS are causing patients and their families and hoping that these problems are addressed with increased capacity. These waiting times can sometimes result in parents choosing to have a private assessment and possibly be prescribed medication privately. At Cross Keys we are unable to enter into shared care treatment with private providers. If a medication is initiated, this will need to be prescribed privately. You can request to your GP that a referral is made to the local BHT commissioned NHS providers. However waiting times are long, and we would only be able to take over prescribing once assessed on the NHS and stabilised on medication with an appropriate shared care protocol.

Note to Adults seeking ADHD assessment

Services for Adults with suspected ADHD have very long waits nationally, and our local provider has closed to new referrals. At Cross Keys we will not be able to enter into "shared care" arrangements with online/remote/other providers for Adult ADHD care, and therefore may not recommend an NHS referral at all. Or we may be able to refer to an alternative provider "for assessment/diagnosis only", but not able to share care for treatment. We may suggest a referral to the private sector, but would not be expected to enter into "shared care" with private specialists, as the NHS GP. This is a "commissioning gap" - where the services available on the NHS do not meet the needs of the population - and it has been raised locally and nationally. You may wish to raise it yourself, e.g. with your local MP and/or with the ICB bobicb.plannedcare@nhs.net.