Repeat Prescriptions

You may be aware of previous news stories regarding private ADHD diagnostic services that have been springing up. We are sure many of you will share our concern about what has been found.

Like many GP surgeries, we have now taken the decision not to accept new diagnoses which are based on a private assessment. Until further notice, we will therefore not be able to start an NHS prescription for adult ADHD medication unless the diagnosis was made under NHS funding.

In the last couple of years, the surge in demand for ADHD assessment has led to very long NHS waits for assessment. We understand that this is frustrating for patients; however, we strongly discourage any patients from seeking a private diagnosis of ADHD at this time with the expectation that the Practice will be able to then issue prescriptions as we will be unable to.

We will only be able to provide NHS prescription if the patient is under an NHS-certified “shared care” agreement with the private provider. This is because ADHD medication is a specialist medication which GPs cannot continue independently. The shared care agreement requires the patient to have yearly reviews with the private clinic which they will need to fund.

We understand that the steps we are taking may be disappointing for some patients and we are sorry for this. However, we believe they are necessary to ensure that ADHD is assessed and treated safely.

We will only continue to prescribe ADHD medication for the patients who were initiated privately - for those who agree to attend the post-diagnostic NHS appointment.