Increasing cases of ADHD are driving NHS referrals to private clinics

Although there is no central list of approved private clinics, partnerships with the NHS are organized though its 42 ICBs, which bring together local health and care organizations to “improve outcomes” for patients and to meet the needs of the citizens. .

Psychiatry UK, one of the country’s leading independent providers, says it is partnering with the health service to reduce the burden.

“If you live in an area where we have an NHS contract, you can definitely see us on the NHS,” its website advises people seeking ADHD tests.

Its guidance adds: “If you live in England we would be happy to work with you and your doctor to seek funding from your local Integrated Care Board (ICB) to provide you with a diagnosis as you have the right to choose to use it.”

“The truth is, most mental health issues have to be managed by doctors. They usually do a good job – but they are not psychiatrists.

“We believe that your consultation with us should be supported by the NHS, but that is a decision for your local Integrated Care Board (ICB). We will always support an application for funding to your local ICB if you have the support of your GP.”

The clinic warns, however, that “even if you are supported by your GP, it will take time for the money to be accepted and the truth is that it is a good indicator of improved results in any healthcare setting it’s quick access to high-quality medical diagnosis and treatment.”

Thea Stein, chief executive of the Nuffield Trust, said: “No life service in the world could have expanded at the pace required by this huge demand.”

He said it was “common knowledge” in the health sector that the NHS would use private services to meet demand, while also giving patients private treatment.

“Sometimes private provision is mandated by the NHS to ensure they can have more capacity,” he said. “So there will be a health care delivery delivered by the NHS in order to have more access and enable people to get through the diagnostic tests faster.”

Thousands of suspected ADHD and autism patients also choose to pay out of pocket for testing at private clinics. Consultations and checks for problems can cost more than £1,000.

London Psychiatry Clinic, Harley Street, where a large number of health care companies have been established in recent years, there have been more than 900 questions for ADHD diagnoses made in the last six months.

The clinic can book patients within one to two weeks and has 21 ADHD psychiatrists and 13 autism specialists.

Oona Corke, registered practice manager there, said the clinic’s team had tripled in size in the past two years to meet increasing demand from people who were still stuck on NHS waiting lists or they have tried to completely bypass the NHS.

“Their symptoms are really affecting their day-to-day life so they really want to get help. That help isn’t always the medication they want. It could be talking therapies or techniques like a coach. of ADHD which to my knowledge is very difficult to find on the NHS.”

Christian McGinty, founder of the Beyond clinic, which serves the north west of England, says five qualified psychiatrists see 50 to 60 people a month, and 80-85 per cent of them are diagnosed with ADHD.

Adult fares are £999, while a child costs £1,450, he said, adding that most of the customers were adults who were tired of sitting on waiting lists.

“We get a mix of people who have decided to do it on their own, as opposed to doing research the NHS way. They’ll just go: ‘What’s wrong?’,” McGinty said. “My daughter was diagnosed with and 14. If I had waited for the NHS trust he would have left school and been at university by the time he was tested. But he needs help now.”

Recent reports highlighting “doubts” about the quality of examinations at some clinics across the UK are said to have created a “minefield” for those trying to get a proper consultation.

A number of experts have told The Times that the different standards of private clinics may be causing reluctance from GPs and NHS Trusts to accept attempts from them to provide medicine.

It has become “extremely difficult” for those diagnosed with ADHD outside the NHS to get a “shared care agreement” approved by their doctors that will entitle them to medication, some consultants say.

ADHD drugs, which have a national shortage, are very strong and can only be prescribed by a consultant. However, some private clinics do not provide enough information for doctors to confidently prescribe medication, or create a care plan.

Adam Collins, 30, sought an ADHD diagnosis in late 2021, after experiencing symptoms of anxiety. He went to his doctor and then to a psychiatrist, who told them to consider the possibility of ADHD. While receiving the diagnosis, he had to pay for the medication due to issues related to the “shared care agreement”.

The inspection took several weeks and cost around £1,500. Although it felt like a bad investment at the time, Collins’ health has improved significantly since then, and it’s better than the three-year waiting list. He is now using medication, provided with a proper treatment plan and management. He said: “The first time I took my medicine, it was so serious I was crying because it was like a noise coming from my head.

Although the medication was life-changing, Collins’ GP would not prescribe it because of the shared care agreement at his clinic. In the first year after he was diagnosed, he paid £250 a month for treatment before reaching the arrangement.

A woman said she spent £685 on a private test after learning she would be on an NHS waiting list for several years.

He said: “I have often missed many obvious moments because of the blindness of time and I have struggled with other people’s problems. “I really wanted to have a mark on myself. time to explain what I felt was wrong with me. Getting an ADHD diagnosis I thought would confirm it.”

However, he described his assessment, which took place via video call in the summer of 2021 three days after he contacted the clinic, as a “tick box exercise”, which had become more complicated. many questions available. online.