ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

AT Ruskington Medical Practice we are committed to supporting patients with neurodevelopmental diagnoses, both children and adults.

This information is for patients who are concerned or suspect that they may have ADHD and would like to be referred for further investigations and care.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can affect many aspects of a person’s life. However, diagnosis is complex and GPs (General Practitioners) are not able to make a diagnosis of ADHD and a referral is needed to an ADHD specialist. If an ADHD diagnosis is subsequently made by the specialist, they may offer medications to help manage the symptoms. These medications can potentially be dangerous and require careful monitoring. 

ADHD referrals for children:

The person who needs to initiate the referral will depend on the education age of the child:

Pre-School – The referral is to be discussed with the Childs Health Visitor or Early Years Setting – they can be contacted by calling: 01522 843000

School Age – The referral is undertaken by the school

Home Schooled Children – the referral is undertaken by the GP

Supporting evidence will be required regardless of who is initiating.

If the NHS Mental Health Team confirm a diagnosis of ADHD, they may initiate treatment and may offer medication; initially this will need to be obtained directly from the specialist consultant. Once the Mental Health Team are confident the patient is stabilised on their medication, they may feel it is appropriate for the patient to obtain their medication from the GP Surgery. 

In order for us to prescribe this type of medication, the Mental Health Team will need to send a Shared Care Agreement to your GP. This is an agreement with an NHS Consultant for the GP which stipulates any monitoring needed to continue to prescribe the ADHD medication safely. 

Please note, the GP is only able to continue prescribing and monitoring a patient if a Shared Care Agreement with an NHS provider is in place.

ADHD referrals for adults: 

Due to the unprecedented demand for ADHD diagnosis and treatment across all age groups, all referrals are sent to the Single Point of Access Team to determine the clinical appropriateness for referral / assessment triage. Those not meeting this threshold will be referred back to their own GP with self-help and signposting. If the referral is accepted, this will be forwarded to an approved provider. 

Which provider will assess me?

Lincolnshire ICB have commissioned several providers to support referrals. All providers who carry out NHS services must hold an NHS Standard contract which means they have passed the due diligence checks set by the NHS. Due to pace of change we are unable to provide you with a list of providers.

If the provider confirms a diagnosis of ADHD, they may initiate treatment and may offer medication; initially this will need to be obtained directly from the specialist consultant. Once they are confident you are stabilised on the medication, they may feel it is appropriate for you to obtain their medication from the GP Surgery. 

In order for us to prescribe this type of medication, they will need to send us a Shared Care Agreement. This is an agreement with an NHS Consultant for the GP which stipulates any monitoring needed to continue to prescribe the ADHD medication safely. 

Please note, we are only able to continue prescribing and monitoring a patient if a Shared Care Agreement with an NHS provider is in place.

Private providers:

You may choose to be referred to a Private Provider for your ADHD assessment due to the long waiting times for an NHS appointment, or simply out of preference. In this instance, the prescribing and monitoring of any medication must continue under the care of the Private Provider. We do not sign shared care agreements with private providers.