ADHD Assessments, Medication, and Shared Care

This page explains our practice approach to ADHD assessments, ADHD medication, and shared care agreements, especially where private providers are involved. It is written for patients who are registered with Riverside Medical Practice or are thinking about registering with us.

Why ADHD medication needs specialist involvement

ADHD medicines can be very helpful for some people, but they are specialist treatments and they are not risk‑free.

For safety, these medicines should be started and adjusted by an appropriately qualified ADHD specialist (for example, an NHS consultant psychiatrist or an NHS ADHD service). The specialist is responsible for confirming the diagnosis, choosing the most suitable medicine, starting at a safe dose, and monitoring how you respond.

Monitoring usually includes checking for benefit, side effects, and physical observations such as blood pressure, pulse, and weight. Reviews are also needed over time because symptoms, life circumstances, and health can change, and doses sometimes need adjustment.

What a shared care agreement means

A shared care agreement is a formal arrangement between a specialist service and the GP practice. In shared care, the specialist starts treatment and provides a clear plan. If the GP practice agrees, we can then issue repeat prescriptions in primary care for convenience, while the specialist continues to oversee your care and remains available for advice and review.

Shared care is not automatic. The GP practice is clinically responsible for prescriptions that we sign, so we can only prescribe when we are confident there is ongoing specialist support and clear clinical accountability.

Our practice policy on private ADHD providers

Riverside Medical Practice does not enter into shared care agreements that originate from private companies providing ADHD assessments or ADHD treatment. This includes online or remote providers.
This means we cannot take over prescribing ADHD medication that has been started by a private ADHD provider under a private shared care arrangement, even if another GP practice previously agreed to do this.

This policy applies to all ADHD medicines, including stimulant and non‑stimulant treatments.

Why do we have this policy?

We recognise that this may feel disappointing, especially if you are trying hard to access care. Our position is based on patient safety and the responsibilities placed on GP practices.

In the past, some patients have started ADHD medication privately but later stopped seeing the private provider, often because of ongoing costs. When specialist follow‑up stops, there is no longer safe specialist supervision for dose changes, side effects, or emerging health concerns.

We also need to be confident that the service providing the diagnosis and treatment has appropriate specialist expertise and robust governance, and that we can access timely specialist advice when needed. NHS ADHD services (and NHS‑commissioned pathways) have defined standards and accountability that support safe ongoing prescribing.

Our aim is to ensure that any ADHD prescribing from our practice is supported by the right specialist oversight, with planned reviews and clear routes for escalation if problems arise.

If you are already taking ADHD medication

If you are taking ADHD medication that was started and is currently monitored by a private provider, that provider remains responsible for prescribing and monitoring your medication until NHS care is formally accepted and a suitable NHS shared care agreement is in place.

It is important not to stop or change ADHD medication suddenly unless you have been advised to do so by the clinician who is supervising your treatment. If you are concerned about side effects or feel unwell, please contact your current prescriber promptly. If you have severe symptoms (for example chest pain, collapse/fainting, severe shortness of breath, or thoughts of self‑harm), seek urgent help immediately via 999 or attend A&E.

How to transfer your ADHD care to the NHS

If you would like your ADHD care to be provided within an NHS pathway, we can help with an NHS referral. Waiting times can be long, but care is fully NHS‑led.

If the NHS service accepts your care and issues an NHS shared care agreement to Riverside Medical Practice, we will review it. If it meets local prescribing requirements and we are satisfied that ongoing specialist review is in place, we may then be able to take over repeat prescribing in primary care.

If you think you may have ADHD and want an assessment

If you think you may have ADHD and would like an assessment, we can talk you through the referral options that are available.

Options may include an NHS referral to the local NHS mental health or neurodevelopmental service, or a referral via an approved NHS Right to Choose provider. Right to Choose assessments are funded by the NHS, although the assessment may be delivered by an independent provider as part of an NHS‑commissioned pathway.

Questions or concerns

If you have questions about this leaflet or would like to discuss ADHD referral options, please contact the practice to arrange an appointment with a GP or our clinical pharmacist.

We understand that navigating ADHD care can be stressful. We will do what we can to support you with appropriate referrals and to ensure that any prescribing that takes place through our practice is safe and properly supervised.