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Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

How long between initial appointment and full assessment for ADHD through CAMHS Southwark

1 reply

zzzz31 · 19/07/2024 20:30

Anyone know the answer to this, please? It doesn't have to be Southwark, actually - general experience would do, but I am trying to make an informed decision whether to go private or not.

Back info: DD10 referred for ADHD assessment in NHS last year. Was told 43rd on waiting list at end of April, today,13th. Receptionist said she could not say when I would be seen but possibly within 'one or two months' and, as far as I can tell, for an initial assessment.

Meanwhile, I applied many months ago for an assessment at a well-regarded private clinic that uses the 'gold standard', multi-disciplinary approach of the NHS. It too had a long waiting list. Today I have been offered an initial consultation on August 2, followed by full assessment, if needed, in September or October.

I was all for eagerly taking this appointment up, and have accepted it, but I subsequently contacted CAMHS and realised I was higher than I thought on the waiting list.

Does anyone know if an appointment in 1-2 months time in the NHS is a full assessment, or simply another holding bay before I wait for another say 12-18 months for a full assessment? I totally understand how completely over-stretched they are and I am happy to wait my turn of course - just wanting to know if it is worth going private at this point?

Thank you in advance if you can help with your own experience.

OP posts:
Parent8 · 13/09/2024 19:22

Don’t have an answer, just to add we’ve been on the Southwark CAMHS waiting list for an ADHD assessment for 17 months and we still haven’t seen anyone. The waiting times are incredibly long. Privately, I was given an estimate of £1500 for an assessment + consultation so not cheap, maybe you could ask the CAMHS team what it might mean in terms of time approximately.

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