In Essex, and across the country, many people are waiting longer than expected for ADHD assessments and treatment.
This is because:
- More people are asking for an ADHD assessment.
- More people are being diagnosed with ADHD.
- Waiting lists are long.
- More people need support and regular checks for their ADHD medication.
- Some people receive care from different NHS and private healthcare providers.
- There is a national shortage of some ADHD medicines.
If your GP practice is no longer prescribing ADHD If your GP practice is no longer prescribing ADHD medication
Some GP practices in Essex have stopped prescribing ADHD medication and are no longer taking part in shared care agreements with ADHD specialists.
If this affects you, other arrangements are in place to help NHS patients continue to access their medication safely.
The support available may be different depending on where you live in Essex.
Support available in mid and south Essex
NHS Essex has arranged for local GP Federations to support patients whose GP practice is no longer prescribing ADHD medication.
A GP Federation is a group of GP practices that work together to provide healthcare services for local people.
GP Federations can work with your ADHD specialist to:
- prescribe your ADHD medication
- carry out regular health checks
- provide six-monthly medication reviews
The support you receive will depend on who diagnosed your ADHD and who currently provides your care.
You will continue to be reviewed by your specialist provider.
The local GP Federation will provide interim health check reviews. Your prescriptions will be managed by the local GP Federation.
You should wait to be contacted by the GP Federation. If you haven’t been contacted by a GP Federation before your current prescription runs out, you should contact your specialist provider.
Depending on your Right to Choose specialist provider, there are two options:
- The Right to Choose provider may continue your annual reviews and take on prescribing for your ADHD medication, OR
- Your Right to Choose provider may enter a shared care agreement with the local GP Federation, who will provide the monthly prescribing and six monthly interim health check
Your Right to Choose provider should inform you on the next steps for your healthcare needs after you have been started on medication and your doses have been adjusted so you are stable on the medication.
Please note that different arrangements will apply.
Following discussion with your GP, you can choose to either be referred back to the private specialist provider who provided your initial diagnosis, or into one of the local NHS funded services.
Patients now have more choice for their care provider:
Children and young people’s autism and ADHD specialist service providers