ADHD treatment policy

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) treatment policy

Laurel Bank Surgery is supportive of patients seeking or receiving care for ADHD related matters. We are happy to discuss issues and make referrals within the NHS and advise on referral to the private sector for assessment and treatment.

Policy Objective

To ensure the safe and effective management of patients with ADHD who require therapy through shared care agreements.  This policy outlines the criteria under which Laurel Bank Surgery will accept shared care prescribing responsibilities.

Policy Statement

The practice is committed to providing high-quality, safe, and ethical care for patients with potential ADHD diagnoses or those already diagnosed.  To uphold clinical standards and ensure patient safety, the practice will only accept shared care prescribing arrangements from providers that meet the following criteria:

Provider Requirements (NHS and private, including Right to Choose)

1. Consultant-Led Care:

• The provider must be led by a consultant psychiatrist who is registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) with relevant experience in ADHD care.
• The psychiatrist must have direct responsibility for the patient’s care plan and medication recommendations.

2. Care Quality Commission (CQC) Registration:

• The provider must be registered with the CQC and adhere to its standards of safe, effective, compassionate, and high-quality care.
• Providers must supply evidence of their CQC registration upon request.

3. Provision of Clear and Comprehensive Care Plans:

• Providers must supply a detailed care plan, including medication regimen, monitoring requirements, and any anticipated changes.
• The care plan must specify the shared responsibilities between the provider and the GP practice.

4. Ongoing Communication and Support:

• Providers must be readily available to offer guidance and support to the GP practice regarding the management of the patient’s care, including after discharge.
• Any clinical concerns or complications must be addressed promptly by the provider.
• Patients will need to remain under the care of the ADHD service for an annual review to monitor the effects of and on-going need for the treatment.

5. Bridging prescriptions:

• Patients arriving in the UK from abroad, who have had assessment and treatment initiated outside the UK will be referred to a UK based service for review. We may be able to provide a bridging prescription if there is relevant documentation from the specialist abroad outlining the current treatment regime. If the treatment falls outside normal UK practice, advice will be sought from a trained ADHD specialist before continuing medication.
• We are not able to provide bridging prescriptions for patients who have initiated treatment themselves, or through non-CQC regulated clinics

6. Reinitiation or Changes to Treatment:

• Any potential reinitiation of treatment, after a period of cessation, will need to be done with the written guidance of an ADHD specialist. It will need to have specific and appropriate guidance on dose titration and monitoring before being agreed.
• Changes to medication or treatment can only be done with the advice and guidance of the ADHD service.

Exemptions

The practice reserves the right to decline shared care arrangements that do not meet the above criteria or where concerns exist about the quality or safety of care.

Responsibilities

GP Practice:

• Ensure safe prescribing practices within the scope of the shared care agreement.
• Conduct regular patient reviews in line with the care plan.
• Communicate with the provider regarding any deviations, side effects, or clinical concerns.

Provider:

• Provide expert-led, comprehensive care and oversight of the patient’s treatment.
• Maintain CQC registration and adhere to its standards.
• Respond promptly to requests for information or support from the GP practice.

Patient:

• To have an agreed understanding of this ADHD policy and the shared care policy provided by the ADHD services.
• To engage with the appropriate medication monitoring and requirements set out by the shared care policy.

Communication and Training

This policy will be communicated to all staff involved in prescribing and managing shared care arrangements. Regular training sessions will be held to ensure understanding and compliance.

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed every two years or sooner if regulatory, clinical, or service delivery changes occur.

ADHD and children

Laurel Bank Surgery encourages parents/carers who are concerned about a potential diagnosis of ADHD in a child to seek the support of their child’s school and its special educational needs team. We are happy to discuss your concerns and offer support about potential ADHD.  A referral via Mindmate is the usual pathway for children to receive a diagnosis and any subsequent necessary treatment.  For this to happen, Children need to be over the age of six.  More information can be found about this here:  MindMate – Emotional wellbeing and mental healthhttps://mindmate.org.uk/neurodiversity-information-hub/ 

The Mindmate website will also supply you with information about alternative referral pathways.

We understand that parents/carers may seek a faster diagnosis, which may be through Private or NHS Right to Choose services.  Please note that our ADHD treatment policy also applies for children.  This is with the addition that children will only be referred to clinics where they will be seen face-to-face.  This is to ensure that they can be assessed and reviewed fully by the clinicians managing them.

You can also download this policy.