ADHD & ASD Referral Information 

If you are registered with the University of Sussex Health & Wellbeing Centre and think you may have ADHD or autism, please read the following information carefully.

You will need to select a provider before we can refer you. You may find it helpful to consider:

• Does the provider assess people in your age group?
• What is their current estimated waiting time?
• Are appointments online or in person?

If you are seeking an ADHD assessment;

• Do they offer medication if it is clinically appropriate?
• Do they provide medication titration, where the dose is gradually adjusted?
• Can they continue prescribing if your GP cannot take over prescribing?
• Do they provide the ongoing specialist reviews and monitoring required for shared care?

This is particularly important if you are seeking an ADHD assessment and may wish to consider medication following diagnosis. NHS Sussex specifically advises taking extra care when choosing a provider if medication may be required because providers do not all offer the full care pathway.

NHS referral

• We can refer you to the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
• Waiting times are currently several years

Right to Choose (RTC)

• This is an NHS pathway that allows you to choose a provider with shorter waiting times
• Waiting times vary depending on the provider
• Not all providers offer medication or ongoing care

ADHD Primary Care Connect

• An alternative NHS-funded pathway available in Sussex
• Offers local face-to-face and virtual assessment options
• Not suitable if you already have an ADHD diagnosis

Private assessment

• You can self-refer and are usually seen sooner, but you will need to cover the full cost of the assessment and ongoing follow-up care
• We are only able to work with certain providers for ongoing care and prescribing
• As a GP practice, we cannot recommend or endorse any private providers
• Any private assessment or provider should be researched thoroughly before choosing

We can only support ongoing care (including prescribing) if your provider meets certain requirements. This usually means they are:

• UK-based
• Appropriately regulated (e.g. CQC registered)
• Has an NHS contract in place with NHS Surrey and Sussex ICB

The following providers are currently approved for shared care under Surrey and Sussex ICB:

• Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
• Psychiatry-UK www.psychiatry-uk.com/right-to-choose
• ADHD 360 www.adhd-360.com/right-to-choose/
• Psicon www.psicon.co.uk/nhs/patients

ADHD Primary Care Connect

ADHD Primary Care Connect is a Sussex-based NHS pilot for adults (18+) offering GP referred, non-complex ADHD assessments, and up to 12 months of holistic, non-medical support. It is suitable for patients with suspected ADHD and offers local face-to-face and virtual appointment options. Shared care is accepted at the point of referral.

www.sussexpcpc.org/our-work/adhd-primary-care-connect-service

If you’re unsure, please contact us and we can help guide you.

Do I have to choose a provider directly contracted by NHS Sussex?

No. There are many other Right to Choose providers available. However, as these providers hold contracts with other ICBs across England, the services they offer may vary and change over time, meaning we are unable to maintain comprehensive and up-to-date information about each provider.

We therefore ask patients to carry out their own research and carefully review the services offered by their chosen provider before requesting a referral.

A Shared Care Agreement is a formal arrangement between your GP, your ADHD specialist and you.

It ensures your ongoing treatment is safe, consistent, and properly monitored.

The agreement outlines:

• What the GP is responsible for (e.g. repeat prescriptions)
• What the specialist must do (e.g. advice, medication reviews and adjustments)
• What you must do (e.g. attend follow-ups and reviews)

SCA’s can be void if terms are not met or adhered to; an example of this is that every patient on ADHD medication requires an annual review with their specialist and if this is not carried out GPs will be unable to continue prescribing where they had previously agreed.

Is a Shared Care Agreement required for ADHD medication?

Yes. The relevant Sussex Shared Care Agreement (SCA) must be in place before a General Practice clinician can take over prescribing medication used to manage ADHD.

Following the initial titration and stabilisation period, the specialist may send a Shared Care Protocol to the GP and ask them to take over ongoing prescribing. If the GP agrees, prescribing must follow the relevant local SCA for as long as the shared care arrangement remains in place. The ADHD specialist will continue to provide specialist reviews and monitoring in accordance with the agreement.

Patients who are considering an assessment through a Right to Choose (RTC) provider and would like their GP to take over prescribing should discuss this with their GP before referral. This can help ensure they understand whether their GP is likely to accept a shared care arrangement.

Patients should also check what services an RTC provider offers before choosing a provider, as prescribing arrangements vary between providers and not all RTC providers offer medication prescribing.

Who prescribes during titration?

Your specialist provider. GPs do not prescribe during titration. We can only take over prescribing once your dose is stable and safe.

Will Right to Choose (RTC) cover the cost of medication?

Yes. The cost of prescribing undertaken by the RTC specialist is covered as part of the RTC service. This includes prescribing during the initial medication stabilisation period and, where applicable, the ongoing supply of medication if your GP is unable to take over the requested prescribing.

If I am diagnosed with ADHD, will my GP prescribe ADHD medication?

Not automatically.

ADHD medications require specialist involvement. If medication is appropriate, the specialist will normally be responsible for starting treatment and establishing a stable dose.

Once you are stable, the specialist may ask your GP to take over prescribing under a Shared Care Agreement.

Before a GP in Sussex undertakes ADHD prescribing under shared care, the relevant Sussex Shared Care Protocol (SCP) must be in place.

Your GP must also be satisfied that it is appropriate and safe for them to accept prescribing responsibility and that the specialist will continue to fulfil their responsibilities under the Shared Care Protocol, including appropriate specialist reviews and monitoring.

This is why your choice of ADHD provider is important.

What happens if my GP does not take over prescribing of my ADHD medication?

ADHD medications require specialist oversight, and an individual GP must decide whether they are able to accept responsibility for ongoing prescribing following a recommendation from a specialist.

Before agreeing to take over prescribing, the GP will need to be satisfied that:

• the specialist making the recommendation has the appropriate qualifications, knowledge and expertise;
• an appropriate clinical assessment and diagnosis have been completed and there is a clear clinical need for the medication; and
• the specialist will continue to fulfil their responsibilities under the relevant locally approved NHS Shared Care Protocol, including any required specialist reviews and monitoring.

If the GP is not satisfied that these requirements have been met, or is otherwise unable to accept responsibility for prescribing, they may decline the shared care request. In this situation, responsibility for prescribing remains with the specialist.

Patients considering a Right to Choose provider should therefore check whether the provider can continue to prescribe medication if their GP does not accept shared care.

I already have an ADHD diagnosis. Can I use Right to Choose just to access medication?

You may be able to request referral to a Right to Choose provider, but this is not simply a medication or titration-only transfer.

The new provider will require a GP referral and will need to review your diagnosis, the difficulties you are currently experiencing and any previous treatment before taking responsibility for your care.

If your medication is currently being changed by another service, NHS Sussex advises that RTC providers would not accept a referral until you are on stable treatment or that treatment has ended.

Can I be referred to more than one provider?

No. You can only be on one waiting list at a time – this includes the NHS Neurodevelopmental Service.

If you are already on a local NHS waiting list but have not yet had your first appointment and are then referred to a Right to Choose provider, NHS Sussex advises that your care should transfer to the Right to Choose provider.

Can I change provider after my referral is sent?

Yes. You can request a new referral but only if you have not yet been seen. This will reset waiting times.

I have already had an assessment but wasn’t diagnosed. Can I use Right to Choose for a second opinion?

You can discuss this with a clinician, but another referral is not automatic.

It is the referring GP’s responsibility to decide whether another referral is clinically appropriate.

NHS Sussex advises that a second referral following a previous NHS-referred assessment would need to be prompted by additional evidence or symptoms that were not previously considered.

My provider hasn’t contacted me – what should I do?

Please contact the provider directly. They manage their own waiting lists and appointment booking.

I can no longer afford private costs – can I transfer my care to NHS/RTC?

If you wish to move to an NHS or RTC service, you can submit a new referral. However, you would need to start at the beginning of that waiting list, as NHS and RTC services cannot take over care part-way through private treatment. This is to make sure the process is fair for all patients and that no one is able to skip ahead on the waiting list.

I already have a private ADHD diagnosis. Can my GP prescribe my medication on the NHS?

A private ADHD diagnosis does not automatically mean that your GP will be able to take over prescribing.

NHS prescribing may be possible if the recommended medication is consistent with the Sussex prescribing formulary, your GP agrees to accept prescribing responsibility and the relevant Sussex Shared Care Protocol requirements can be met.

If shared care is agreed, you will need to remain under the care of your private specialist and attend the required specialist reviews.

These specialist reviews would remain privately funded, so it is important to consider the potential ongoing cost of specialist follow-up, rather than only the cost of the initial private assessment

If you are moving to Sussex and already have an ADHD diagnosis or are receiving treatment for ADHD, your ongoing care and prescribing arrangements may need to be reviewed.

Will I still be able to get my ADHD medication?

This will depend on your current care and prescribing arrangements.

If your medication is currently prescribed by your GP under a Shared Care Agreement, your new GP will need to review the arrangements before deciding whether they can take over prescribing.

Does my Shared Care Agreement automatically transfer to my new GP?

No. Shared care arrangements do not automatically transfer when you change GP practice or move to a different NHS area. Your new GP will need to consider whether they can accept prescribing responsibility under the relevant Sussex Shared Care Protocol.

To help with this, your new GP may need:

• your ADHD diagnostic report;
• details of your current medication and dose;
• details of previous treatment and medication titration;
• up-to-date physical health monitoring, such as blood pressure, pulse and weight;
• confirmation that you remain under the care of an appropriate ADHD specialist; and
• confirmation that your specialist is able to meet the requirements of the relevant Sussex Shared Care Protocol.

What if I am under the care of a Right to Choose provider?

If you are receiving care from a Right to Choose (RTC) provider, you should contact them before you move to confirm whether they will continue to provide your specialist ADHD care after you move to Sussex.

Even if your RTC provider continues your specialist care and reviews, your new GP will still need to decide whether they can accept responsibility for prescribing under the relevant Sussex Shared Care Protocol.

You should also check whether your RTC provider can continue prescribing your medication if your new GP does not accept shared care.

Could there be a gap in my medication?

There is a possibility of disruption to prescribing when you move, particularly if your existing arrangements cannot immediately be continued.

To help reduce this risk, before moving you should:

• tell your current ADHD specialist or provider that you are moving;
• ask whether they will continue to provide your specialist care after your move;
• check whether they can meet the requirements of the relevant Sussex Shared Care Protocol;
• make sure you have copies of your diagnostic and treatment information; and
• contact your new GP practice as early as possible to discuss your ongoing care and prescribing arrangements.

Will I need to be referred to a local ADHD service?

This will depend on your individual circumstances and whether appropriate specialist care remains in place.

A further referral may need to be considered if your existing specialist cannot continue your care, there is insufficient clinical information available, or there is no longer appropriate specialist oversight of your ADHD treatment.

If your existing specialist can continue to provide the required reviews, monitoring and specialist support, a referral to a local ADHD service may not be necessary. Your new GP will consider the appropriate arrangements based on the information available.

What is the most important thing to remember?

Moving to Sussex does not change an existing ADHD diagnosis. However, your care and prescribing arrangements may need to change.

For your GP to consider taking over prescribing under shared care, there will need to be appropriate specialist oversight, sufficient clinical information and agreement between the specialist and GP to follow the relevant Sussex Shared Care Protocol.

If you know you are moving to Sussex, we recommend contacting your ADHD provider and your new GP practice as early as possible so that your ongoing care can be discussed and any necessary arrangements can be made.

ADHD: Once you have read the above information and chosen your preferred provider, please complete the online referral form.

ASD: Autism assessments do not involve medication, so shared care does not apply. Please go straight to the list of providers: www.adhduk.co.uk/right-to-choose/ and then submit the referral form.

Once we receive your form, we’ll review it and contact you if we need more information.

We will text you once your referral has been sent.