Right to Choose Referrals for Mental Health / ADHD

Patients registered with our practice have the legal Right to Choose their provider for certain NHS-funded mental health assessments, including ADHD assessments.

We are happy to support patients who wish to pursue an assessment through a Right to Choose provider. Please read the information below carefully before requesting support from the practice.

Choosing a Right to Choose Provider

Patients wishing to access ADHD assessment through Right to Choose should:

• Identify a suitable provider themselves
• Check that the provider meets current NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ICB requirements
• Complete the provider’s self-referral process directly through the provider’s website where applicable

The practice is able to support patients by providing a supporting referral letter where required by the chosen provider.

Patients are responsible for ensuring that the provider they choose is appropriate and accepts referrals under Right to Choose.

ADHD Service Requirements (ICB Guidance)

Our local Integrated Care Board (ICB) has specific requirements for ADHD assessments and treatment:

• The initial ADHD diagnostic assessment must be conducted face-to-face
• Before starting ADHD medication, there must be a face-to-face physical health check
• This face-to-face assessment must take place within 60 minutes travel time from the patient’s home

Patients should ensure that any provider they choose is able to meet these requirements.

Further information can be found on the ICB website:

ADHD services for adults:
https://www.cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk/your-health/adhd-services-for-adults/

Shared Care and Prescribing

Our practice is only able to enter into Shared Care Agreements with NHS providers.

This means:

• We cannot enter into shared care arrangements with private providers, including private organisations operating under Right to Choose
• If you are assessed and treated by a Right to Choose provider, you will usually remain under that provider for prescribing and medication monitoring
• If you would prefer your ADHD care to eventually transfer to the GP under shared care, this is currently only possible through an NHS provider

For our local area, the NHS ADHD service is QUAY Healthcare. Please note that waiting times for NHS services may be lengthy.

If You Later Wish to Transfer Care Back to the NHS

If you later wish your ADHD care to be transferred back to an NHS service, we will support this process where appropriate.

You should obtain a clinical handover letter from your Right to Choose provider to support the safe transfer of care to the NHS provider.

Any future shared care arrangements would only be considered once NHS specialist care has been established.