GP refused to refer, should you tell.secondary care that you have a private ADHD diagnosis?

Q&A (Run by volunteers)
1

Hi,

Will try to keep.short. (not sure I’ve managed that- apologies)

GP says ICB policy is not to refer for adults and so refused to refer. (Complaint raised with GP and ICB, with ICB rejecting complaint)

GP had however layer referred me to secondary care asking for psychiatric opinion as i am ‘a complex case’. Secondary have bounced back to GP 3 times signposting right to choose. GP won’t entertain and i need GP to refer to have RTC option.

I’ve deteriorated and now under secondary care after mind rep referred me to secondary care regards ADHD.

I’ve further deteriorated to crisis while waiting for the referal appointment.

This causes me a couple of issues I would like advice with.

1- having read ICB poli9cy i belive i meet criteria as they do allow referal for cases that are complex and/or have multi morbidity, both of which I believe i meet.

2 - the relationship with secondary care has broken down, I have no confidence in them or believe I will be treated fairly. I am triggered.just approaching the building. However the referral by mind now has me under their care and so this appears to mean right to choose is no longer available to me (according to the right to choose documents i have seen).

I’d like to challenge GP and ICB regards.referal (lack of)

And

I’d like transfer to different secondary care provider, and preferably in a different ICB area.

It seems I am stuck with the secondary care provider and completely at their mercy.

I have an ADHD meeting in a 2 months where they repeatably refuse to confirm.the nature of the meeting.

Do I inform them.i have a private diagnosis (score 9 and 8) or not? GP has given me paperwork when they tried to push me to private setting out that if someone goes private then the patient should stay private and NHS will NOT support shared care.

Any advice is already appreciated.

2

Hi, thank you for sharing.

You can change GP through registering with a new practice but this can sometimes lead to a similar outcome and doesn’t restart the process if you’re under secondary care. Its best to also confirm first if the new practice you consider would accept shared care. There are complexities with Right to choose routes as you mentioned, and this would be a topic to discuss in more detail at a Drop in Clinic if you could get along to one:

With referrals for complex cases it can vary by your local area and what each ICB might offer or accept. You would need to have a referral from your current secondary care team or GP which would then be given to the ICB to consider whether they fund support. Your private diagnosis based on NICE guidance shouldn’t disadvantage you, but the assessment from secondary care is usually the main one that’s considered. Again, something which a conversation with Henry at the Drop in Clinic might help with.

Referring to what you shared in your post, if you need urgent support at any point, here is a link to services that can help:

Here is a link to the ADHD UK support groups where you can access opportunities to more support and connect with others. I’m sorry to hear of your struggles and I hope things can improve for you soon.