We are currently experiencing high demand for ADHD referrals at the practice, due to this we have had to create a standardised process to follow for equality and patient safety. We understand that many people are concerned by the waiting time for the local NHS neurodevelopmental service and are seeking alternative assessments from other providers, such as the Right to Choose (RTC) Pathway. However, we feel it is important that you understand that not all providers operate in the same way and this has increased workload significantly for our staff and for the patients previously involved in this process.
ADHD medications are not something that a GP in England can prescribe on their own and is something called a “specialist medication”. This means that they can only be started by a specialist following an assessment and ADHD diagnosis. A GP may be asked to continue prescribing this medication on behalf of the specialist providing specific criteria are met under something called a Shared Care Agreement. More information about this can be found here. As this is an additional/ optional service for GP surgeries, the practice policy is such that when asked to sign a shared care agreement, we will only do so using the local NHS Sussex format. The reason for this is patient safety. We have an established process that our pharmacy team follow using the Sussex format and we are unable to review alternative forms and how they may deviate from the Sussex Format. Please note that we also reserve the right to stop agreeing to taking on new Shared Care Agreements if we reach an unsafe capacity, in this instance the prescribing will remain with the specialist.
Choosing you right to choose provider:
Whilst we cannot choose a provider for you and our staff cannot help you in vetting or assessing their suitability, we have tried to make this slightly easier by providing these links:
ADHD UK: Right to Choose Private Providers
When choosing your RTC provider, it is important to ensure the following:
- You select the provider that feels right for you and not necessarily the one that has the shortest wait time. Do take time to compare each.
- Ensure you meet their referral criteria and provide any additional documents that they require.
- That they will accept a written GP referral letter by email or eRS and not require the use of an online portal/submission process as this is not something we are able to do for you (this is due to concerns regarding data privacy and administrative burden).
- That they will use the NHS Sussex ESCA format if requesting the GP take over prescribing in future (as outlined above)
- Once a referral has been made, you are unable to change providers
*NEW*
Further to the information above there is a new service in Brighton run by Sussex Integrated Health CIC and the Brighton & Hove Federation. They are now accepting referrals and if medication is required will initiate and engage with the NHS Sussex ESCA format. Whilst they don’t currently have a website please find their exclusion criteria below before:
They are unable to see patients with the following:
- Symptoms of severe mental illness (e.g schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder or personality disorder) that is causing significant risk or functional impairment.
- Significant active substance misuse
- Active suicidal idealisation
Once your request has been submitted and we have reviewed your eligibility, please expect a link for further submission details that you will need to complete to finalise the referral.