aitchy
Member's not posted much yet
Posts: 4
|
Post by aitchy on Jul 16, 2015 22:05:20 GMT
Hi all, I'm brand new to the forum, so be patient with me I'm currently trying to get a referral for adult ADD/ADHD assessment and my GP has informed me that there is no provision for this via the PCT in Lincolnshire. Does anybody know how an adult goes about getting a referral if the GP can't help please? Apparently the PCT had said there is a gap in provision for this and they will look into it, that's as far as we've got. It took a lot of doing to go to the GP in the first place to ask about this, and she took a lot of persuading to attempt a referral as apparently I'm the only adult she's ever had ask for this! Any advice VERY gratefully received, as I don't know what to do now :/ Thank you
|
|
|
Post by hermanli on Jul 17, 2015 0:12:12 GMT
I was in the same position as you Aitchy, and I was so afraid to even look into the details of what the NHS guarantees, because mental health services always tend to be poor and I just imagined if I researched it would confirm this. But oh no! We are watertight, and I have just had my assessment. It took a load of work, but should be easy and stress free for you.
The gist of things is, that adult ADHD is a major condition that the NHS acknowledge and there are clear guidelines on how to deal with it. You can look up CG72 on NICE for example.
Your GP must refer you to get investigated and treated, if they dont it is negligence and the NHS will be liable to damages incurred to your health, loss of earnings and such. Co morbid mental health problems are extremely common in ADHD (and ASD) folks, often as a result of the problems in your life caused by the condition. So referring you promptly is of paramount importance.
There is no such thing as PCT's anymore, they were replaced by clinical commissioning groups. This happened in April 2013
Where there is no established service within a local mental health trust. Then it is down to the commissioning group to source this service for you externally. This could be in a private clinic anywhere in the country, or at NHS national services at south london & maudsley.
To get this done, your GP just has to write a letter (important to note just a normal letter and NOT and "individual funding request") and send it to the mental health commissioner who works at your commissioning group. In large CCG's, there maybe several mental health commissioners and one of them may have the responsibility of dealing with ADHD provision. Do some calling / googling to find out.
It is completely fine and expected to communicate with CCG directly, so you could just ask them.
So have you got it? Get your GP to agree that you need ADHD investigation (if you need help with this let us know!), from then on its easy.
If you have any problems, there is even a backup option.
Since April 2014, it has been LAW. for there to be a "right to choose" who your first consultant mental health appointment is with. So you could go in with any kind of mental distress, get them to refer you for psychiatric evaluation... but then request someone who is a known ADHD expert.
|
|
|
Post by annie on Jul 17, 2015 8:34:34 GMT
Hi aitchy
What Hermanli generally describes what is supposed to happen if you live in an area whare there is no Adult ADHD service. However, you're probably going to have to be quite proactive in getting things to happen.
How was it left with your Gp. What was the Gp going to do next?
|
|
|
Post by hermanli on Jul 26, 2015 20:37:57 GMT
Where did you go aitchy?
You seemed quite desperate for some advice, the same information would have saved me many years and a lot of trauma. Was it useful for you?
|
|
aitchy
Member's not posted much yet
Posts: 4
|
Post by aitchy on Aug 10, 2015 18:20:06 GMT
Hi guys, and so sorry it's taken me ages to reply.....family life stuff took over for a while.....hermanli, thank you so very much for that detailed advice, that's great,and I will follow it up - as annie says, I have a feeling I'm going to need to be very proactive, it's a bit daunting but if needs be I'll do it. Annie, the GP left it that she is waiting for the PCT to get back to her when they've addressed the issue of this gap in provision. I am aware that I could be waiting years for them to do that, so will use the info hermanli supplied to try to get things moving. Huge belated thanks to you both
|
|