CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) REFERRALS
This document outlines the options, responsibilities (of patients/parents/guardians and GPs) and the referral process for a child or young persons ADHD referral. This includes the Right to Choose (RTC) referral process. It aims to provide clear guidance for patients/parents/guardians, ensuring an efficient and safe referral process.
Your child does not need an appointment with a GP to be referred for an ADHD assessment.
NHS Local Pathway
Your child can be referred within the NHS, and this will a local, comprehensive face-to-face assessment and smooth transfer of prescribing if your child is started on medication. 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’(RTC) an assessment from a provider in the private sector, under the NHS (info on the RTC pathway is in the next section under ‘Right to Choose Pathway).
Providers:
Listed below are the providers that NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB has directly commissioned and hold a contract to deliver ADHD services to residents with a Lancashire and South Cumbria registered GP.
Due diligence has been undertaken against this provider and monitoring against quality standards is in place. Assurances can be provided that each provider algins to local agreements, including shared care guidance.
CAMHS
Services commissioned: Child ADHD assessment and treatment ages 16-18yrs
Service information: https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/CAMHS
Telephone number: 01772 777 344
Community Paediatrics
Services commissioned: Child ADHD assessment and treatment ages upto 16yrs
Service information: Royal Preston Hospital. This service is designed to serve children and young people between the ages of 0 - 16 years, or up to 19 years if attending a special school setting.
https://www.lancsteachinghospitals.nhs.uk/our-services?service=16
Telephone number: 01772621062
Right to Choose Pathway
Right to Choose (RTC) allows patients to choose their preferred NHS-contracted provider for an ADHD assessments. This process is designed to ensure referrals are handled quickly and consistently while maintaining patient safety and minimising administrative burdens. RTC providers are typically private companies with NHS contracts and are based all around the country.
GPs cannot select a provider on a patient’s behalf. You must research your options and choose a provider that meets your needs.
Exclusion Criteria for the RTC provision:
- If you're already receiving mental health care for the same condition.
- If you're under urgent (or crisis) care.
- If you're receiving highly secure psychiatric care.
- If your referral comes from your local health service commission (exceptions apply for cases from the Better Care Fund 'BCF' or Section 75).
- If you're a serving member of the armed forces.
- If you're already receiving in-patient care via the NHS, you may not qualify for the RTC provision.
Points to consider when choosing a RTC provider:
- Most RTC providers conduct assessments remotely or online only.
- Local commissioned providers within Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS may not accept diagnoses made by RTC and could require their own assessment process.
Providers:
The following providers are based in England and have been approved by the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) to deliver ADHD and/or ASD services under the Right to Choose policy.
ADHD 360
Services commissioned: An online service for ADHD
Service information: Right To Choose | ADHD Diagnosis And Treatment | ADHD 360 (adhd-360.com)
Telephone number: 01507 534 181
Email: enquiries@adhd-360.com
Online: Contact ADHD 360 | Speak To Our Specialist ADHD Team (adhd-360.com) (Live chat or online enquiry form)
Psicon
Services commissioned: CYP ADHD assessment (6-17 years)
Service information: Private ADHD Diagnosic Assessments for Children UK | Psicon
Telephone number: 01227 379 099
Email: enquiries@psicon.co.uk
Online: Contact Us About Our Neurodivergent Assessments | Psicon
Evolve Psychiatry
Services commissioned: ADHD CYP
Service information: Neurodevelopmental Assessments – Evolve Psychology
Telephone Number: 01423 637818
Email: enquiries@evolveps.co.uk
Online: Contact Us – Evolve Psychology (Online enquiry form)
* Please note that this provider is unable to offer treatment for ADHD (only assessments) and this should be considered in deciding whether this is an appropriate provider for the patient seeking to be referred.
Help4Psychology
Services commissioned: ADHD CYP (Under 18 years old)
Service information: Right to Choose – Help for Psychology
Telephone Number: 01603 482503
Online: Contact Us – Help for Psychology
* Please note that this provider is unable to offer treatment for ADHD (only assessments) and this should be considered in deciding whether this is an appropriate provider for the patient seeking to be referred.
RTN Mental Health Solutions
Services commissioned: CYP ADHD assessment
Service information: Diagnostic Assessments | RTN Diagnostics
Telephone number: 0333 772 1164
Email: enquiries@rtnmedical.com
Online: Right to Choose | RTN Diagnostics (Online Form)
* Please note that this provider is temporarily unable to offer treatment. A solution is being explored so please check back in the future and we will update accordingly.
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REFERRAL PROCESS
If you would like your child referring for an ASD assessment, please follow the process below.
No GP appointment is needed.
Print out these forms and ensure they are completed fully:
‘SNAP4’ – one copy to be completed by patient and one to be completed by school
Neurodevelopment Referral form Part A’ – to be completed by school
Neurodevelopment Referral form Part B’ – to be completed by parents/guardians/carers
Once completed, please send them to the secretary email blmcsecretaries@nhs.net with the following information:
Name
Date of Birth
Contact number (parent or guardian)
Email address (parent or guardian)
Chosen provider and which speciality (ADHD or ASD) including RTC pathway or local provider pathway
** Specific providers may require additional details. They will request this from you directly once they receive the referral from us. This may require duplicate completion of forms **
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By opting for a RTC referral, you understand and accept the following:
- Most RTC providers operate remotely and conduct online assessments.
- If medication is recommended for your child, it can only be started by the specialist, not your GP. Once you have been established, and completed the titration process on medication, your RTC provider may ask your GP to take over providing your prescriptions (this is called a Shared Care Agreement between the service provider and your GP practice). This is reviewed by your GP on an individual patient basis. Your GP does not have to agree to this request. If a shared care agreement is accepted by your GP, your child may require ongoing annual physical health monitoring.
- If a RTC provider ceases trading or loses its NHS contract, prescriptions and continued care may be suddenly discontinued. It is not the GP’s responsibility to automatically take over your childs care.
Note:
The information given above has been provided by the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (LSC ICB)
Useful Links: