Disclaimer – Private Provider ADHD Assessment, Prescription Medication and Monitoring
We appreciate your decision to utilise the NHS Right to Choose option or a Private Provider option to obtain an ADHD assessment and, depending on the outcome of the assessment, medical treatment. It is our priority to ensure transparency in providing you with important information regarding the scope of services covered under this arrangement.
As you proceed with the ADHD assessment, please be advised that the responsibility for the initial prescribing of medication, any assessments needed prior to the decision to prescribe, and the monitoring and prescribing during the titration period until you are stable on your medication, all fall under the responsibility of the provider conducting the assessment. This includes any follow-up appointments, adjustments to medication dosage and relevant monitoring tests during that time.
It is crucial to note that these services are not covered by the practice. Therefore, your GP will not be responsible for prescribing ADHD medication or overseeing the associated monitoring until you are stabilised on medication, whether you are seeing a specialist under the NHS Right to Choose or if you are privately funding your assessment.
At the point of being stable on medication, If the provider, whether an NHS or Private provider, wishes to enter into a Shared Care Agreement with your GP Practice, then it may be possible for the practice to take on the prescribing. Under this agreement, you will need to continue with regular reviews with the ADHD clinic, and only if this is continuing will the GP Practice agree to provide prescriptions. We do this because the prescribing of ADHD is beyond the clinical scope of General Practice, and we need to know that your specialist is overseeing your treatment. We will only agree to take on the prescribing if the Shared Care Agreement is equivalent to the agreement that we have with our usual NHS providers.
Please be aware that if you are under the care of a Private Provider, this will mean that you will need to continue to pay for follow up appointments with the specialist overseeing your care, for the duration of the time that you are on medication or until you transfer to NHS services.
If you choose to be referred to a clinic that only provides assessments for ADHD and not prescriptions, then unfortunately we are unable to provide prescriptions for you on their behalf.
We hope that this has clarified our position regarding referral to ADHD services and the prescribing of any recommended medication, and we ask that you sign below to confirm your understanding and agreement to comply with our policy.
What should I do if I think I have ADHD?
If you think you have ADHD, please book a consultation with one of our clinicians. They will tell you what to do next. If you are under 18 and in school, your school will need to fill out some forms. For adults, there can be a 3 to 5 year waiting list because many people need help.
What happens after I see the specialist?
After you see a specialist, they will talk to you about starting medication. The specialist will help you find the right dose. Once your dose is stable, your GP can take over prescribing the medication. This is done after a shared care agreement between the GP and the specialist.
What is a shared care agreement?
A shared care agreement is a document that says who is responsible for your care. It includes details about monitoring and prescribing your medication. Your GP will prescribe your ADHD drugs as long as your blood pressure, weight, and heart rate are normal. You must also attend your yearly review with the specialist. If you miss your review or have problems with your blood pressure, heart rate, or medication side effects, you need to see your specialist. GPs are not ADHD specialists, so they will ask the specialist for help if needed.
What should I do if my medication is out of stock?
There is a shortage of some ADHD medications like methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine, and guanfacine. This means medication supplies can be unpredictable and vary from pharmacy to pharmacy. If your pharmacy does not have your medication, try other pharmacies. Sometimes we can switch you to a different brand, but not all brands are interchangeable. We cannot check pharmacy stock, so it is your responsibility to find your medication.
ADHD medication types
ADHD medication comes in different types: fast-acting and slow-acting. Here are some common medications:
Fast acting (Immediate release)
- Methylphenidate Hydrochloride: Acts straight away. Often starts at 5mg doses.
Mixed slow and fast acting preparations (Often known as modified release)
- Delmosart: 30% fast acting, 70% long acting.
- Medikinet: 50% long acting, 50% short acting. Note: Once you are on a certain medication mix, it’s best not to switch.
| Modified release Methylphenidate | Brands also compatible |
| 30:70 drug split, most commonly known as Concerta XL (dosed as 18mg, 27mg, 36mg, 54mg) | Concerta XL (max dose licensed 108mg) Affenid XLDelmosart (max dose licensed 54mg) Xaggitin (max dose licensed 54mg) Xendiate Matoride (max dose licensed 54mg) |
| 50:50 drug split Most commonly known as Medikinet (Dosed as 10mg, 20mg etc) | Medikinet XL (max dose licensed 90mg children, 100mg adults) Equasym XLMeflynate XL Metyrol XL |
| Immediate release methylphenidate (fast acting) | |
| Most commonly known as Methylphenidate hydrochloride | Medikinet 5mg tablets, Ritalin or Tranquilyn |
Why do you prescribe by brand?
Methylphenidate is a controlled drug with specific rules from the Home Office. You can only get a 28 day supply at once and must prove your identity to collect the prescription.