If you pay for a private psychiatrist assessment and are diagnosed with something do the NHS accept it?

[Ghib]

I believe my son has a specific MH condition and it's hard enough to get a GP appointment never mind a referral to a psychologist for a diagnosis.

If I went private for an assessment would they accept that diagnosis and treat it as such or would they still want an NHS Dr to diagnose?

Had an awful experience today with NHS MH nurse ans just think it's not worth the years of waiting.

Since it would be coming from a doctor, they are likely to accept it. Difficulty could be if the psych recommends a drug which requires specialist supervision but that is a big if and not a worry for today. Having a diagnosis is a very good starting point.

It depends. I think ADHD is more tricky. My GP accepts and has noted my diagnoses from my private psychiatrist but they don't do anything to treat them. I cc old probably convince them to prescribe my medication but it's easier for my psychiatrist to just do it.

My diagnosis of Autism by a private Psychiatrist is accepted and noted on my NHS records, yes.

I think I've only ever read about issues with schools / local authorities having issues with private assessments in the past.

I'm not sure if it's a Neurodivergent diagnosis that you mean, or an actual MH condition, but if you're looking at a diagnosis that will require meds, then you need to be sure that the provider offers a titration service.

Depends.

Adhd they can be arsey about.

Something like dissociative disorder (I have this) or bipolar/depression/anxiety no problem

My friend got a private adhd diagnosis for her son. I think the nhs did accept it but they refused to pay for the meds until he was assessed by them.

IME no.

My private psychiatrist diagnosed bipolar 2 and sorted all my medication through my NHS GP. The diagnosis is on my records and my prescriptions continue to be delivered through the GP ever since

Not always. DD had her ADHD diagnosis done privately and the GP surgery won't accept it and we have to pay for private prescriptions. With hindsight we should have checked with the GP first about who they will accept a shared care arrangement (or whatever it's called) and use them but we didn't realise and just went with a BUPA recognised clinic.

If the diagnostic process is in line with NICE guidelines then yes. If you can use a Doctor who also practices within the nhs.

It may help if you say what the condition is?

Not always. Friend's GP took the attitude that as the diagnosis was paid for it wasn't reliable. Like 'he who pays the piper picks the tune'.

I don't really think that accepting or not accepting a diagnosis will really be the issue when it comes to getting NHS treatment.

There are any number of people whose GPs fully acknowledge them to be in need of mental health support, and it is simply the scarcity of resources to provide this support that keeps people languishing on waiting lists, or jumping through hoops of low-cost "treatment" options (like online CBT ) before more substantive help is provided.

Unlike many physical health problems, a "diagnosis" isn't the critical part of determining whether you will get treatment or what treatment you will receive. For example, I finally received access to NHS psychotherapy after years of jumping through hoops; and the process isn't mediated by first of all finding the right label for a problem (eg depression, anxiety, PTSD, CPTSD, etc). It simply explores the distress and the possible solutions

It's Bi-polar

A nurse told him after a 4 min conversation, he doesn't have it, so get it out of his head.

His father and grandfather have it and he cycles constantly, albeit to hypomania, like his father.
But because it's not full mania he doesn't have it.

My argument is that a nurse cannot diagnose bipolar, only a psychiatrist, so how can she possibly dismiss it in minutes?

Sorry it's bipolar 2. Father and paternal grandfather have it.

The assessment would be a general psychiatric assessment. Not going for a specific condition, but I believe he fits bipolar.

By the same argument, you’re not a psychiatrist so how can you be so certain he does have it?

I doubt a nurse is qualified to diagnose bipolar but I'm not sure. I would look up the rules and make a complaint if she has overstepped her role.

There’s some info here.
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/gp-practices/managing-workload/general-practice-responsibility-in-responding-to-private-healthcare

On your other thread you said it was a nurse assessment, was this in a general or mental health hospital. I doubt a doctor would accept a nurses diagnosis so he would need to be seen either by a mh doctor or via the gp as the nurse said. What led up to him seeing the nurse today, has he ever been formally assessed and diagnosed by a doctor.

A nurse can't diagnose or rule out anything - they can do assessments & refer upwards to psychiatry. Focus nowadays is more on treating symptoms than on diagnosis as there simply aren't enough psychiatrists to go round.

It was a crisis team appointment OP said…..it’s get them in and get them out …..no time to diagnose ( or not) …..would just have been a case of making sure he’s safe and not a risk of harm to himself or others….then sign post him on

What do you want from a diagnosis OP….that’s what you need to ask yourself

Yes.