NHS specialists follow strict rules when they check for ADHD and give medication. They work with GPs to make a shared care plan. This means the GP, specialist, and patient work together to make sure treatment is safe.

If you get an ADHD diagnosis through Right to Choose or Sussex Partnership NHS Trust, we can give you medication, but only after:

• The NHS psychiatrist starts your medicine
• Your dose is adjusted and stable
• We receive a Shared Care Agreement (a safety plan between the NHS clinic and us)

You will also need regular check-ups with us and your specialist to stay safe.

NHS Sussex has lots of useful information about Right to Choose and ADHD assessments at Sussex.ics.nhs.uk. This includes a list of providers and a Q&A.

If you already have a shared care plan from a private clinic, we may keep prescribing your ADHD medicine — but only if:

• The plan meets NHS safety rules
• You attend your regular check-ups

If you leave private care and want NHS help, we cannot give you medicine until an NHS specialist writes a new plan. This can take time and might cause a gap in your treatment.

Visit our ADHD: Support page to learn how we can help, how to get support, and where to find local services.

What is a Shared Care Agreement?
A Shared Care Agreement means your GP and your specialist doctor (psychiatrist) are working together to look after your ADHD. Your specialist checks how you are doing, and your GP gives you your medication.

Will my medication stop?
No. If we are already giving you ADHD medicine, we will keep doing this as long as the share care agreement is safe. But you must still see your private specialist regularly.

If you stop seeing your specialist, we cannot give you the medication anymore. You would need to wait to see an NHS ADHD doctor. This could take a long time.

Can I stop paying for private care and switch to NHS?
Yes, you can. But we cannot give you ADHD medication during the wait unless a new NHS doctor takes over your care and sends us a new agreement. There might be a gap in your treatment while you wait.

What if I’m a new patient with a private ADHD diagnosis?
We will not give medication for new ADHD patients if they were diagnosed by a private doctor. You can still pay privately for your medicine or be referred to see an NHS approved ADHD doctor (you will need to continue paying for your private prescriptions while waiting for this).

What if I moved here from another GP surgery?
If your old GP was giving you ADHD medicine and you still see your specialist, we may be able to keep giving it. Your new GP will check this first (they may decide it is preferable to refer you to an NHS approved provider going forward).

What if a GP gave me ADHD medicine before I saw a specialist?
You will need to be referred to a specialist to be assessed and have a shared care agreement created. It will be up to your GP to decide whether it is safe to continue prescribing your medication while you wait for this referral to be processed depending on the circumstances.

Can I go private to get seen faster?
Yes – but going private does not mean the NHS will give you your medicine. If you want your GP to take over your ADHD medication in the future, you should go through the NHS or a Right to Choose provider.

What is Right to Choose?
Right to Choose is a way to see a specialist (potentially a private one) who has a contract with the NHS. If you go through this, your GP should be able to take over your medication later.

Why is Foundry making these changes?
We want to:

• Keep everyone safe
• Make sure people are still being checked by a specialist
• Be fair to everyone – not just people who can pay for private care