Help please re Right to Choose (adhd)

[Cluborange666]

Hi there,
Could someone explain this to me please? Son is 18 and just finished sixth form. He got diagnosed autistic and with severe adhd in January this year. He was already diagnosed with dyspraxia. His adhd puts him in the bottom 4% of his age group for focus.

With a lot of effort, he got ABB in his A levels and intends to study computer science at university next year ( he hasn’t applied for anything).

Anyway, when he was diagnosed, he was still a child so was under CAMHS. At 18 he got moved to Adult Services. He has been on a priority list to try adhd meds since diagnosis. The psych wanted him to get them before his A levels but we still have nothing. When my DH rings adult services we are told he is on the list. That’s it.

DS has not applied to university simply because he wanted to take this year to trial meds and not have it interfere with starting university. We know that different meds affect people differently. He had epilepsy when younger so we have to be careful.

I read about Right to Choose and got a form from the GP.The GP spoke very quickly and now I’m confused. If we ask for a referral to a private adhd clinic, does my son get removed from the adult services waiting list? Will they be as cautious about his risk of epilepsy? Please could someone just clarify it for me? We are willing to pay but obviously would prefer not to.

All this uncertainty is not good for my son’s mental health and he is keen to start university but equally his health and safety are my overall priority.

TIA.

Hi well done for getting him diagnosed and those A level results are just brilliant and shows he can do it without meds. My son is a year older, was diagnosed and got meds through CAHMs after a long wait. He is now nearly 20 and despite being handed over to adult services at 18 he has never had an appointment. An initial phone call was offered but then was cancelled, I have given up on him ever seeing them. We are in the NW, if you can share your area someone may be able to advise a private psyc to prescribe and titrate which will then be handed over to your GP. Good luck.

It took three years for my ds to get to top of adult services waiting list. When he did they offered him ‘zoom drawing classes’ that were on at same time as his uni lectures. That was it.. nothing more was offered.

So, to clarify, will he be removed from the NHS adult services waiting list?

No he won't be removed. You can have the two referrals submitted and running simultaneously. The thing to be aware of is that your gp may not do shared care agreements with private adhd services. That means your son could be prescribed medication under right to choose but you would have to pay for all medication until he gets assessed by the nhs. It's not a reason not to go ahead but just something to possibly be aware of.

Thank you to all those who have replied. Your answers are incredibly helpful.

I’m just going to add on here that we are in Manchester so if anyone could recommend a private psych who would do shared care then that’d be great. Thank you.