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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can affect many aspects of a person’s life. However, diagnosis is complex and requires a specialist, usually a consultant psychiatrist to do this.
GPs are not able to make a diagnosis of ADHD and a referral is needed to an ADHD specialist. If an ADHD diagnosis is subsequently made by the specialist, they may choose to offer medications to help manage the symptoms. These medications are potentially dangerous and therefore require careful monitoring. The specialist is responsible for prescribing the medications, making any dose adjustments and arranging a yearly review which includes a physical assessment.
Before you can be referred, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire by your GP which will assess the potential severity of your condition to determine whether a referral to the service is suitable for you. Depending on your chosen provider, you may need to have some additional tests such as blood tests or an ECG to support your referral.
ADHD Assessments for Children
Referrals for diagnosis and treatment are made to the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Oxfordshire.
ADHD Assessments for Adults
ADHD Screening Test
As the awareness of ADHD grows, it is important that access to appropriate screening and assessment is available. The Think ADHD screening test is free to use and allows patients to provide their GP with comprehensive information about their symptoms and history.
Think ADHD is an NHS GP-led service which improves the ADHD referral and assessment process in primary care. Using Think ADHD’s screening test will help your GP make better quality referrals and reduce the rate of rejection by the mental health services.
Due to the long wait for ADHD assessments in Oxfordshire, the local service provided by Oxford Health Foundation Trust has temporarily suspended accepting any new referrals from 5th February 2024.
Patients can exercise their right to choose and ask to be referred to another provider who has an existing contract to provide NHS services.
The following providers have undergone NHS quality assessment.
You can choose to be referred to a private provider, but should you choose to follow this route and a diagnosis is made, the GP will not be in a position to prescribe ADHD medication or arrange monitoring. This must all be done through the private provider and you may need to check on the costs of ongoing treatment including prescribing and yearly reviews.
We recognise that living with a potential diagnosis of ADHD is quite stressful and getting support at this time is important. There are some charities that may be able to help with advice about where you can get support:
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