Hi, I’m a 51 year old male from New Zealand. I was diagnosed with ADHD at 49 and am currently prescribed for 50mg of Ritalin per day. I will be moving to the UK in 2 months and was seeking some advice on what I need to do before and after I arrive in the UK. I will be seeing my Doctor in a week to discuss this, but I thought it might help to get some advice from a UK perspective? I do have reports from the Psychologist who made the diagnosis as well as the Psychiatrist who endorsed it.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Nathan
Hi, thanks for getting in touch.
Firstly, I hope the planning for the move is going well. Also want to acknowledge your late diagnosis, and hope that the support and your own processing before and after the diagnosis have been helpful in different ways.
Glad to hear that you have an appointment to discuss this with your doctor this week. From a UK perspective, based on the latest guidance, your New Zealand diagnosis and prescription history will be what’s needed to continue your medication prescription. UK government guidance limits controlled Class II substances, which include most ADHD stimulant medications, to a three month supply when arriving from overseas. After, a UK prescription will need to take its place.
UK GPs can prescribe the same medication, but most will need to review your records, including the prescription and diagnosis, and refer you for a new prescription at the same dosage you are currently on. You will usually need to take with you to the UK your ADHD assessment details and diagnosis.
Sometimes, doctors in New Zealand will want a UK review to confirm that they are happy to take on the responsibility of prescribing.
If, for any reason, you needed a separate referral for ADHD in the UK, then ‘Right to Choose’ is worth considering. It’s a route to an NHS-funded private assessment that bypasses local waiting lists by going through a private provider. The first thing is to see what your doctor says at the appointment this week, and feel free to return here after with any updates and more questions based on what you discuss.
https://adhduk.co.uk/right-to-choose/
Do get back in touch if helpful after the appointment, and I hope you find it helpful.