For patients considering privately funding an ADHD assessment
When patients choose to seek privately funded healthcare, a number of fundamental principles apply.
Please read the following guidance before paying for an ADHD assessment outside the NHS. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak with your GP.
It is important that patients are fully aware of the longer-term implications of privately funding elements of their healthcare, including what to expect once they have paid for and received an assessment and/or diagnosis.
This includes an understanding of the limitations of cover provided by any private medical insurance and how ongoing supplies of medication should be obtained.
1. If you wish to receive NHS funded care and treatment for ADHD, you should be assessed and diagnosed by an NHS funded service. Your GP can advise you on the services that they can refer you to and the anticipated waiting times.
2. You have the right to privately fund an ADHD assessment and diagnosis, but this should be on the expectation that everything subsequent to that diagnosis – including medication costs – will also be self-funded.
Your GP has the right to refuse to prescribe ADHD medication on the NHS if you paid for a private assessment and diagnosis.
3. If you wish to receive NHS funded treatment following a privately funded diagnosis, you should still be assessed and diagnosed by the NHS funded service once you reach the top of the waiting list.
A privately funded diagnosis cannot be used to advance your position on this waiting list, nor can it be used to bypass the assessment stage and progress straight to treatment.
4. Please be aware that an NHS clinician cannot be compelled to accept a diagnosis made following a privately funded assessment and may disagree with the diagnosis you have been given.
5. Please be aware that a recommendation from a privately funded specialist does not entitle you to NHS prescriptions for that medicine.
The NHS clinician will determine the most clinically appropriate treatment for you, taking into account local and national guidelines, as they take personal clinical responsibility for your treatment.
The clinician who signs the prescription is legally liable for the prescribing and the consequent effects of that drug.