Claire
ADHD Assessment
The usual pathway for getting an ADHD assessment:
(This is the process most GPs are familiar with)
NB Before visiting your GP it’s often helpful to make a list of your ADHD symptoms/ examples of how your life is affected. Alternatively you can complete a self-rating questionnaire like this one or this online version. Do complete & send this to them first. Then visit/ book a call with your GP – saying you believe you may have ADHD.
- Visit/ speak with your GP: Have the above questionnaire to hand and be prepared to explain how you feel ADHD affects you in your day to day life.
- Sometimes a GP may dismiss your symptoms as not ADHD- or refer you for other mental health support first. However, according to NICE guidelines, your GP is not qualified to say if you definitely have ADHD or not. They should just acknowledge that there is a possibility that you may have it, and refer you on for assessment.
- Referral: A well-informed GP will usually refer you to your local ADHD clinic. It’s worth trying to establish the currently expected waiting time – you may be lucky and have a relatively short wait time. If the waiting time is over a year you could consider using Right To Choose (see below).
Alternatively you can use your Right To Choose (RTC) to reduce your waiting time
“If a GP needs to refer you for a physical or mental health condition, in most cases you have the legal right to choose the hospital or service you’d like to go to.This will include many private hospitals if they provide services to the NHS and it does not cost the NHS any more than a referral to a standard NHS hospital…”
NB This information on how to get an ADHD assessment is currently only applicable for adults in England (and not applicable to those serving in the armed forces).
- RTC allows you to choose any online ADHD assessment service delivered by an NHS provider. (See below for more about choosing your RTC provider)
- RTC is a recently discovered option. It is legally robust, and many people now use this option to reduce their wait for assessment.
- Many local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) are slowly becoming more aware of RTC. They are beginning to understand that they can’t legally refuse funding for this (as agreed by NHS England).
- Although legally the CCG can’t refuse to fund an assessment under RTC, your GP & CCG may well not be familiar with the process and this can delay a referral.
How to use RTC to reduce your wait time for your ADHD assessment
1. Choose your preferred Right to Choose provider:
Most services still have long waits (see above) but ADHD UK have a super-useful link with a list of NHS ADHD assessment providers. This link is regularly updated to show up to date waiting times – usually much shorter than your local service.
When deciding which service to use, consider:
– Whether their services are accessible online
– How the GP makes the referral
– Whether they offer titration (medication)
NB Be warned: Psychiatry UK has a VERY limited titration service.
2. Prepare for your GP visit:
It’s helpful to make a list of your ADHD symptoms/ examples of how your life is affected. Alternatively you can complete a self-rating questionnaire like this one or this online version. Do complete & send this to them first. Then visit/ book a call with your GP – saying you believe you may have ADHD.
If you’re writing an email before the appointment you could use the template below:
Dear GP,
I have booked an appointment with you on DD/MM/YY to request a referral for an ADHD assessment (see attached ASRS ADHD rating form ).
In light of the long wait for a local ADHD assessment I would like to use my Right To Choose to choose〈 ADD YOUR CHOICE OF ASSESSOR HERE〉for my assessment as they have a shorter waiting time.
Please note that this is not an application for an Independent Funding Request. I have attached this NHS document for more information.
I look forward to talking with you more soon.
Many thanks,
〈 ADD YOUR NAME/ ADDRESS HERE〉
3. During your GP visit/ call
Explain to your GP you believe you may have ADHD and ask for a referral for an ADHD assessment: Be clear you’d like to use your Right To Choose and ask them to refer you directly to the service you have chosen.
Your GP may be able make a e-referral in minutes OR or they may need to call/ email the service directly to get the relevant referral forms.
4. If you come up against ongoing problems:
You can contact NHS Improvement. They will spell out the rules to your CCG (who may be obstructive). However most will generally agree to pay for the assessment at that point.
Private assessment
Finally, if you really can’t bear to wait and can afford the hefty fees, you may want to consider going for a private assessment – find out more here.
