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The service offers specialist assessment and diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to adults aged 18+ who are registered with a GP in Richmond.
- Service Type: Adult Community Services
- Service Contact: externalrichadhd@swlstg.nhs.uk
- Service Category: Community
- Disabled access: Yes
- Address: Livingston House, 2-6 Queens Road, Teddington, TW11 0LB
- Reception hours: Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
- Reception phone number: 0203 513 5000
About our care
Richmond ADHD Service is specific, non-urgent, service which, due to high demand, operates with a significant waiting list.
The service offers specialist assessment and diagnosis of ADHD and initiation and titration of medication for ADHD symptoms. Once stabilised on medication, the service operates on a shared care basis with Primary Care. This means the monitoring and prescribing of ADHD medication takes place in Primary Care and the ADHD service provides an annual specialist review.
The ADHD Service does not provide general mental health support or crisis response. Advice on mental health support and urgent support can be found on the website.
Who is this service for?
Individuals must be over 18 and be registered with a GP in the London Boroughs of Merton and Sutton.
If you intend to change GP or have changed GP, please let the team know as soon as possible.
Referrals and access
We accept referrals from:
- Primary Care – GPs referrals are accepted via the NHS e-Referral (e-RS) system to Richmond SPA
- Mental health teams within the Trust
If you are a healthcare professional outside of SWLSTG you can contact the service for advice and guidance on the referral process.
The service does not accept self-referrals directly from individuals or families.
Referrals made to the service are screened by specialists in ADHD.
Depending on the information received, the service may write to the individual asking them to provide additional information. This may be a request for a questionnaire, relevant medical reports or a personal account of signs and symptoms experienced.
Where a referral is made for an individual who already has a diagnosis of ADHD, evidence is required of a previous assessment. Without this evidence, a full re-assessment may be required. Any requested information must be returned with the timeframe stated on the letter as this is an important part of the assessment process. If information is not returned, without making contact with the service, it will result in discharge from the service.
Once all information is received, individuals will be added to a waiting list to be seen by a specialist for an assessment. Individuals will next hear from the service when an appointment is available.
ADHD assessments can be offered virtually and will be carried out by a Psychiatrist or Non Medical Prescriber (NMP). The assessment will be offered over one or two sessions.
If a diagnosis is made, treatment options are discussed. Medication is prescribed by a Psychiatrist or a Non-Medical-Prescriber (NMP) and monitored from a clinic during the initiation and titration phase.
When medication is stable, a shared care agreement is set up with Primary care who will continue to prescribe the maintenance dose and complete regular physical health monitoring.
Individuals prescribed medication for ADHD, will be invited to attend an annual specialist review with the ADHD service to consider the response to medication and on – going treatment.
Some individuals diagnosed with ADHD may be offered time limited therapy.
Patient information
ADHD WAITING LIST INFORMATION:
Following a clinical review of your referral you will receive a letter from the team advising you whether you have been accepted on to the waiting list for the ADHD service.
People who are currently being offered their first appointment with the service have waited over two years (last updated August 2024). People joining the list today, will wait longer than this.
In recent years, across the UK, there has been an increase in demand for ADHD services. This is in part because people are becoming better at recognising the signs of ADHD and understandably want to seek an assessment. However, with more people accessing services, the waiting list for ADHD services has grown.
The waiting times for our ADHD services are impacted by various factors such as how many people have been referred and how many patients require treatment. These factors continue to change and for this reason, we are unable to provide a precise time when people on the waiting list will be offered an appointment. We are aware how difficult such a long wait is for patients.
You will be contacted by the service when we are able to offer you an appointment.
If you would like confirmation that you are on the waiting list for the ADHD service, you can contact the team address provided and we will respond to this enquiry.
