We use cookies to make this site work. We'd also like to set optional cookies so we can understand how the site is used and improve it. We will not set optional cookies unless you accept them. You can change your choice at any time from the Cookie settings link in the footer.
Strictly necessary cookies
These cookies are required for the site to work. They store your cookie preferences and keep your session secure. They are exempt from consent under PECR Regulation 6(4) because they are essential to deliver the service you have requested.
Optional cookies
Optional cookies help us understand how the site is used and provide additional features such as analytics, accessibility tools and translation. We will only set them if you accept.
ADHD Assessments and Prescribing
Right to Choose
How ADHD assessments and prescribing work at Wargrave Surgery, including use of the NHS Right to Choose pathway and Shared Care prescribing.
ADHD Referrals
Adults
Adults can be referred by a GP to:
- The NHS Adult ADHD Service, or
- An NHS Right to Choose (RTC) ADHD provider
New Access Criteria for adult ADHD
In June 2026 the Thames Valley Integrated Care Board (TVICB) have adjusted the access criteria for all adult ADHD diagnosis including Right to Choose for GPs in TVICB.
The practice has summarised the information that we were sent in the points below:
- The cost of making adult ADHD and ASD diagnoses and medication treatment for ADHD has escalated way beyond the affordability envelope for TVICB.
- TVICB is going to impose access criteria for all referrals both to local Adult ADHD services and Right to Choose providers. These access criteria will be the same across the whole of TVICB. The aim is to reduce the number of referrals to those where the greatest benefit of diagnosis (and medication) would be perceived.
New Access Criteria
The adult ADHD services will accept clients who meet criteria 1,2,3 and at least one of criteria 4:
- Over the age of 18
- Does not have a contraindication to ADHD Medication. This includes cardiovascular issues, substance misuse problems, and hypertension that has not been fully investigated.
- Clients whose needs are not better met by another service. These includes the community mental health team. Patients with possible ADHD and mental health conditions such as bipolar disease, psychosis, schizophrenia and eating disorders should be under the mental health service as their main provider, with ADHD services giving support if accessed by their main provider. No referrals will be possible from the GP directly to adult ADHD.
- They must also meet one of the criteria below and evidence must be supplied to support any of the below criteria:
- Be open to the safeguarding team with ADHD identified as a need.
- Be open to the criminal justice system, with ADHD identified as a need. This does not include family or medicolegal law.
- Have a long-term physical condition that they are struggling to manage the care plan for due to ADHD symptoms.
- Be enrolled in an academic or vocational course and having educational difficulties associated with ADHD that have led to risk of failing/ noncompletion/ exclusion. The student support service (or SEND) must provide evidence that reasonable adjustments have been implemented consistently for at least a term and further assessment is thought to be required.
- There is a pattern and evidence of repeated loss of employment due to ADHD symptoms or the client is at risk of losing current employment due to ADHD symptoms and despite reasonable adjustments.
- There is evidence that the client has not been able to fulfil caring responsibilities due to ADHD symptoms and treatment is considered essential to continue their role.
- Continuity of care. There is an existing diagnosis approved by an NHS service and one of the above criteria is met, or there is evidence of past behaviour that indicates significance risk of meeting the criteria above if medication is stopped.
If you believe that you meet the criteria for ADHD assessment you will need to select your preferred to right to Choose ADHD/Autism provider, complete the required paperwork found on the providers website & supply the criteria evidence when you attend your GP appointment. If you do not meet the criteria the GP will not be able to make a referral.
Children
Children may be referred to:
- The paediatric ADHD service via their school, or
- A Right to Choose provider via the GP
What is NHS Right to Choose?
Right to Choose allows patients to select an NHS-commissioned provider for ADHD assessment and treatment. Although these providers are private organisations, your care is funded by the NHS.
Most Right to Choose providers offer:
- ADHD assessment
- Medication initiation and titration (if clinically appropriate)
Patients are encouraged to research providers carefully to ensure the service meets their needs before requesting a referral.
Right to Choose ADHD Providers
Wargrave Surgery can currently refer to the following NHS Right to Choose providers:
- Harrow Health: ADHD only service for adults. Medication only service available for patients with an existing ADHD diagnosis.
- Medinet Minds: Autism & ADHD service for adults & children. Medication only service available for patients with an existing ADHD diagnosis.
- Care ADHD: ADHD only service for adults and children
- Ciconia Recovery: ADHD only service for adults
Waiting time information is available via ADHD UK – Right to Choose guidance.
Referral forms are available on each provider’s website. Please attend your GP appointment with any required paperwork completed.
ADHD Medication and Shared Care Prescribing
ADHD medications are specialist-only treatments and must be started by an ADHD specialist.
Once a patient is stable on treatment, the GP may continue prescribing under a Shared Care Protocol (SCP). This is a formal agreement between:
- The specialist service
- The GP
- The patient
Monitoring requirements
For ADHD medication to be prescribed safely, patients must:
- Have at least an annual specialist review
- • Complete 6-monthly monitoring for General Practice, including:
- Weight
- Height
- Blood pressure
- Heart rate
Patients are responsible for arranging and attending required follow-up appointments. Prescribing may be stopped if monitoring or reviews are not maintained.
Shared Care Policy at Wargrave Surgery
Services we routinely accept
We routinely enter Shared Care agreements with:
- NHS ADHD services
- NHS Right to Choose ADHD providers
Private ADHD providers
We do not accept Shared Care with private ADHD providers. This is the position supported by the Thames Valley ICB in order to ensure equity of access to ADHD medications via the NHS.
Requests for Shared Care
All new Shared Care requests are reviewed by a GP.
If approved:
- The patient will receive written confirmation
- The patient remains responsible for arranging ongoing specialist follow-up
If follow-up or monitoring is missed, the practice will stop prescribing ADHD medication.
National Support
National Autistic Society
Founded in 1962, they are the UK’s leading charity for autistic people and their families. Their goal is to help transform lives, change attitudes and create a society that works for autistic people.
Autism Independent UK
Autism Independent UK helps to increase awareness of autism to the notice of all, together with well established and newly developed approaches in the diagnosis, assessment, education and treatment.
Dimensions
They support people with learning disabilities and autism to have a louder voice, choice and control in their lives.
ASD Helping Hands
ASD Helping Hands will support all service users affected by an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) regardless of age or what stage of life they are at. We aim to offer guidance, practical advice and support whether you are personally affected or you are an associated family member, carer, friend or professional. We will actively champion the rights of all people affected by an ASD and aim to make a positive difference to their lives while delivering a service that is accessible, reliable and trust