GP refusing shared care with private clinic For ADHD medication

[WishfulThinkingToday]

Did anyone have this problem? What did you do?

I have two children (18 and 17 yo) recently diagnosed with ADHD and autism through a private clinic (Problem Shared), and they would like to get medication. My GP has refused shared care with the private clinic for ADHD medication.

So far I was told I have 3 choices;

1. Try another GP surgery.
2. Somehow go through NHS Right to Choose (maybe having to do the diagnosis again?).
3. Pay privately for the medication.

Has anyone managed to sort this out?

Thanking you in advance for any advise.

Did the private service who diagnosed your DC's explained options re. medication? They should have done that.

Check if you can go via RTC for medication only. You can also try a different GP unfortunately a lot refuse to do shared care for ADHD medication, as you need a psychiatrist to start, titrate and review it. Other than that yes, private is only other option.

Thanks for replying,

The private clinic mentioned that they can cover the initial titration free of charge, but then would be expected to have a shared care in force with the GP to continue the process. They refuse to start the initial medication process without proof of shared care. I am on hold on the phone with them right now - really want to get this problem sorted this morning!

I just called RTC ten minutes ago, and they said that in our area they don’t offer medication only. (Such a shame!). They also said they don’t accept the diagnosis from the private clinic because they have different criteria. If I was desperate I would need to re-refer and re-diagnose under their criteria.

It is a shame that having a private diagnosis is not as smooth going as I would have hoped.

It sounds like unless you can find a GP willing to do shared care, the only option is private psychiatrist I'm afraid.

Such a shame. I think we decided that at least the ADHD diagnosis we have allows my children to get extra help with exams (extra time) because they struggle with making mistakes while reading questions.

We will probably have to re-refer to Right to Choose, and wait for their diagnosis and medication (in our area it is taking 6-9 months). We can’t afford to pay for medications with university maintenance costs for the next four years (at least).

I called other GPs but they said they’d only give us answers if we joined their surgery. That takes weeks. They will probably also be restricting private clinics.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jan/23/adhd-waiting-lists-clogged-patients-returning-private-care-nhs

According to this article, this is a common problem.

Most GPs won’t take on shared care following private diagnosis now.

Your options are the 3 you listed or going through the NHS local service.

Exam access arrangements are based on needs rather than diagnosis. Not all with ADHD will be eligible for extra time. Equally a diagnosis isn’t required for extra time to be given. You can see the rules on JCQ’s website.

Thanks - I will have a look.

You should also check if your ICB has paused or capped RTC referrals. Some have.

I'd also double check if RTC assessments and diagnoses (if that's what you decide to do) are accepted under shared care by GP as not all are (even though technically they've been paid for by NHS). Even with providers offering initial titration, longer term care will need to be via GP.

I hope one of the outcomes of this report will be a requirement for all services offering ADHD assessments to be able to offer prescribing if needed, and be pre-approved for shared care. Your problem with medication is not untypical.

There are some RTC providers who will continue longer term prescribing if the GP won’t take on shared care.

Even if the provider won’t continue longer term and the GP won’t do shared care, the ICB should have a pathway for continuing this because they are NHS diagnoses. Although it might involve a long wait (and depending on the provider, more assessment).