zzztset
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Post by zzztset on Aug 25, 2016 16:13:09 GMT
Hi there, I'm new here so be kind - this is my first post From my initial research it seems that you have the right to choose where your first outpatients appointment takes place for any new mental health condition - this can be any CCG commissioned service anywhere in the country as far as I can tell. Is this true? My local area have just started a new Adult ADHD service in Great Yarmouth - does anyone have any experiences of this place? It only seems to have an administrator, a couple of nurses and a 1 day-a-week psychiatrist. As I have quite a complex developmental background and several comorbid conditions, it seems to be a much better bet to ask my GP to refer me for an assessment at the national Adult ADHD service at the Maudsley in London. They seem to have a lot more experience and a lot of highly trained staff. Do people agree with this conclusion? What are peoples experiences of assessment at the Maudsley? Am I likely to be able to get referred there? Thanks, H
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zzztset
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Post by zzztset on Aug 25, 2016 16:34:16 GMT
Hmm - reading other people's posts in the forums and seeing the nightmares they've been having to get any sort of assessment from anywhere - seems like I shouldn't be so greedy and should just take the local assessment if I can get it. I'm a perfectionist and always want to do things the right/best way - what can I say... (bows head in shame) H
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Post by vagueandrandom on Aug 25, 2016 19:00:02 GMT
Welcome zzztset Yes. . you may have the right to go anywhere, but funding will still have to be approved by the local CCG. If there is a local service you will have to prove to them why the local service is not adequate for your needs I was dx last year, then moved and am coming up against the CCG brick wall atm. . they think that local MH service is adequate. . I've been there and they're clueless. . . Good luck
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zzztset
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Post by zzztset on Aug 26, 2016 5:39:50 GMT
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Post by vagueandrandom on Aug 26, 2016 8:37:54 GMT
Thanks for posting that zzztsetIt might help me with my complaint. . I know that it doesn't mention CCG funding, but everyone has a personal 'budget' held by the local CCG which is what should be used to pay for your care, wherever you go. I think that a lot of it comes down to where you live and your CCG . .with limited budgets, if they can keep as many patients as possible within services they already fund, they can use your personal budget to fund that service. . .if they send you out of area, the money goes to the service that you choose . . .and they have less money within their Trusts. Ask your GP. . .you may be lucky!
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Post by annie on Aug 26, 2016 10:03:05 GMT
Hi there
Welcome to the forum.
Also, thanks for posting the link re NHS Choices. I've had a quick look at it and on paper it all looks very positive. Unfortunately, the workings of the NHS frequently leaves opportunity for lots of "wriggle room" by the "powers that be" but I will go back and read it more carefully. It is interesting what your link says about Gp's bringing up the option of patient choice and then giving the patient an access code to look at what ADHD (or any other condition) provision there is across the country - also waiting times. Have to say, I've never come across anyone who has been offered that "choice" by there Gp - all very interesting, thanks.
With regard your local service. In some areas Mental Health Trusts set up a pilot ADHD clinic so they can show CCG's that there is a need for such a service to be properly funded by the CCG's. It sounds like Great Yarmouth might be one of those areas. Very often there is a psychiatrist within a MH Trust who has a special interest in promoting such a service, often with minimal support from their Trust.and does provide a very good service. Of course there's the other side of the coin.
Do you know how long the waiting list is for your local service?
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zzztset
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Post by zzztset on Aug 26, 2016 15:49:24 GMT
Thanks Annie, It says that the GP gives you an access code to the NHS e-referrals service where you book the appointment yourself with whoever/wherever you want to go. Sounds lovely doesn't it! Here's the NHS e-referrals service: www.ebs.ncrs.nhs.uk/Regarding my local service in Great Yarmouth, their website is here: www.nsft.nhs.uk/Our-services/Pages/Adult-Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity-Disorder-Service.aspxand the press release about the opening of the service here: www.nsft.nhs.uk/Pages/Adult-ADHD-service-launches.aspxI can't say that the staffing level fills me with much confidence: "The new service is being provided by a team made up of a clinical team leader / non-medical nurse prescriber, a staff grade psychiatrist for one day a week, two community mental health nurses (1FTE) and an administrator with support from a named Consultant Psychiatrist". So that's the equivalent of 2 nurses, an administrator and a psychiatrist who joins them for 1 day a week. I don't know what the waiting times are like for this place or for the national service at the Maudsley. Has anyone been to either of these? Cheers, H
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Post by vagueandrandom on Aug 26, 2016 20:09:31 GMT
The Great Yarmouth service doesn't sound too bad. . .and waiting times might be
shorter than the Maudsley. I was dx in a satellite clinic of Maudsley which has 1
specialist consultant running a clinic 1 day a week.
As long as they're an ADHD specialist and qualified to dx and treat, you're better off
than than people in areas where there's no service at all (like where I've moved to)
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zzztset
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Post by zzztset on Aug 27, 2016 5:39:58 GMT
You are right - I shouldn't be so picky.
I just worry that they aren't experts - that they've just been on a short training course.
I've had so much trouble with me (probable) ADHD over almost 50 years, it's pretty much destroyed my life, it somehow feels like it deserves more.
But, as I said in my second message, compared to the troubles many people on here are having, I should count my blessings that there's any local service at all
Thanks,
H.
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Post by marionk on Aug 28, 2016 17:40:27 GMT
Hehe, so many older folks joining in the last few days, I wonder if I'm the oldest dx or not anymore! (54) Welcome to the forums zzztset
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