ADHD Services

ADHD Assessment, Treatment and Shared Care

We understand that many patients are seeking assessment and treatment for ADHD, and there has been growing interest in NHS Right to Choose services and other providers. This page explains our current approach based on our updated policy (May 2025).

How we support ADHD care

We are happy to support ADHD treatment through shared care, when the following conditions are met:

The ADHD assessment was carried out by an approved provider (with formal shared care arrangements with NHS Devon ICB), or by a GMC-registered consultant psychiatrist on the specialist register.
Medication is stable and there is a safe, clear plan for follow-up.
A formal shared care agreement is in place.
And you meet the criteria for your age group as below.

ADHD referrals and Right to Choose

Adults (18+): You have the right to choose an NHS-approved provider for ADHD assessment under the NHS Right to Choose. We will support referrals to providers that:

Have formal shared care agreements approved by NHS Devon ICB, or
Where assessment and prescribing are managed by a GMC registered consultant psychiatrist on the specialist register.

Children and Young People (under 18): We will only accept shared care when:

Assessment and follow-up are provided or authorised by a GMC-registered consultant (via local NHS services or an approved Right to Choose provider).
Medication is stable, with a clear and documented plan.

Shared care and prescribing

We can only enter into shared care where safe, formal agreements are in place, and the provider meets NHS Devon ICB standards or is led by a GMC-registered consultant.
We cannot take over prescribing or monitoring for ADHD medication started privately unless these conditions are met.
If follow-up is not maintained as agreed, or we have concerns about safety or effectiveness, we may stop prescribing.

Before requesting referral

It’s important to understand the responsibilities of different services and the limitations of what we can offer. We encourage you to:

Do your research.
Be aware that we may not be able to continue prescribing in every case.
Understand that some non-traditional routes may carry additional risks.

Ongoing support

We are here to help:

We can refer you to local NHS ADHD services, although waiting times may be long.
We will work within NHS-approved shared care arrangements where appropriate.
Please speak to a clinician if you have questions about your options.

Important notes

We cannot guarantee shared care for every ADHD provider or service. We assess each request to make sure it meets safety and care standards.
If you choose to use a private or Right to Choose service, please check that they have an agreed shared care arrangement with NHS Devon if you want us to continue prescribing.
We do not take over prescribing or monitoring for services that do not meet these requirements.
We may withdraw shared care if follow-up is not maintained or concerns arise about

What to do next

If you are seeking a referral or have completed an ADHD assessment, please contact us so we can discuss next steps and check eligibility for shared care.

For more information on ADHD services and NHS Right to Choose, visit NHS Right to Choose.