Query about private ADHD diagnosis, are you forever stuck in the private system?

[Beeobserver]

Hi

I was wondering if anybody has experience of going through a private ADHD diagnosis. My NHS GP warned me that if we go through the private system and get a diagnosis with medications my DD will be stuck in the private system regarding prescriptions and follow-ups. I I know this sounds a bit mad but I am wondering if it would be possible to get a second 'diagnosis' through the NHS if she does need follow up at a later date?

Thank you

My child was privately diagnosed, and then the GP took over the script. I know other areas don't do that, but ours takes the view that private diagnosis saves the NHS and waiting list, so they accept them and then take over care.

I'd go to PALS and ask them to challenge the policy. It's literally one phone call. Happy to provide you with details on how it worked for us - we saw a consultant child psychiatrist with specialist expertise in girls and ADHD and the meds have absolutely improved my daughter's life a hundredfold. She says so herself, in fact!

We could never have afforded ongoing private scripts either, and would still be on the waiting list if we'd not gone privately. Which has freed a slot on that list for another child!

In England (not Scotland sadly) you have the "right to choose" which means you can get NHS to pay for diagnosis and private treatment:
psychiatry-uk.com/right-to-choose/

I'm not sure if private treatment includes the price of a private prescription, as opposed to just having it issued by the private pharmacist.
You can also choose to get your prescriptions issued by NHS GP - win win!!!

I am not sure if right to choose covers children - it seems not on P-UK but it may be ok with other providers? Apologies if I've raised hopes

Can't see why you can't also sit on the NHS referral list and have them pick him up when he reaches the top. (And in the mean time have the private assessment to get support in place more quickly!)

We had nhs referral and was on the waiting list for assessment - 3 years wait. So we went private and got diagnosis within a month, and started medication. NHS then moved him to their follow up waiting list which was 2 months wait. Iv been told they are closing loophole which is insane as we free'd up a place on the diagnostic waiting list plus didnt have to use valuable nhs resources. The private doctor and educational psychologist we used works for the same trust doing adhd diagnosis which made the diagnosis viable to the nhs iykwim