Our son was privately diagnosed with ADHD back in 2023. It was recommended he commence medication for this. We spoke with our GP who advised us to think very carefully before commencing medication as our son would not have access to CAHMS from that point on if he was to be privately medicated (I understand this was the advice the ICB’s were giving to GP’s at the time) We followed this advice and waited for the NHS diagnosis, this took a further 3 years!!!
Our son was officially diagnosed with ADHD via the NHS route in February 2026. They also advised that he would benefit from medication. We were hopeful he would be medicated very soon after his diagnosis, but we have now been advised that, unbelievably, and I can’t actually believe I am typing this but, there is a 4 year waiting list for an appointment to prescribe medication.
I have looked on the ADHD UK website for a ‘Right to Choose’ provider and the majority do not medicate without that company actually carrying out the diagnosis and again they have long waits.
I have contacted a company on the website and this is their response…
'If your child has already received an ADHD diagnosis through the NHS, their ongoing care, including medication and titration, would usually continue with the service that originally made the diagnosis.
Under NHS Right to Choose rules, we are generally unable to accept referrals solely for medication or titration where an NHS diagnosis has already been made. In most cases, patients remain under the care of their existing NHS provider.
The only exception would be if your ICB (Integrated Care Board) provides specific approval for a referral to be made to another provider. If this is something you would like to explore, we would recommend discussing it with your GP or local ICB’
Does anyone have any advice on where to turn next??
I have emailed the ICB for any other pathways or if the ICB will provide specific approval for a referral to be made to another provider.
Anyone else have any ideas please? Thanks so much for reading.