NHS Scotland ADHD care is currently provided through the Community Mental Health Team (CMHT).
The CMHT is made up of a multi-disciplinary team, consisting of doctors, nurses and psychologists.
Unfortunately, these clinics are over-subscribed due to the growing demands placed upon them. As a result of these long NHS waiting times, people are seeking private assessments and/or treatment. Many private clinics will suggest initiation of medication but then request that further prescriptions are accessed from the GP.
As a practice, we have carefully considered these requests and unfortunately, we cannot support the prescribing and monitoring of ADHD medications at this time from private clinics. There are several reasons for this:
- It is challenging for us to be assured of the quality and governance aspects of private clinics.
- These are specialist medications which need to be shared between GPs and specialists, and there is no guarantee of enduring specialist care within the private sector.
- It is difficult to ensure that appropriate follow up takes place to allow these medications to be safely prescribed. This should not be done via the NHS until reviewed in an NHS clinic.
Many patients wish to pay for a private prescription for such medications, which can be issued and monitored appropriately by the prescribing clinician while awaiting an NHS review and their care being taken over.
We are aware that this is not the outcome you would like to achieve, and we are sorry that you are struggling to access the care you need.
If you would like to contact your MSP to highlight the issues raised in this letter, here is some information which will help you do this:
Current and previous Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) | Scottish Parliament Website
In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact your usual GP for any other physical or psychological issue.