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Welcome to our complete guide on the Adult Pathway for ADHD and Autism assessments and treatment at Chase Lodge Hospital. Our goal is to provide you with all the information you need about the assessment process, from the initial questionnaires to ongoing care management for adults and much more. We empathise with you on this journey and are here to help you throughout it all. Our guide will not only educate you as a new patient but will also serve as an updated resource for existing patients who are considering assessment and treatment. Ultimately, it will ease your process and help you receive the best care, which is focused on your condition.
We’re going to conduct a thorough assessment to explore whether you might have ADHD or Autism, and we’ll also consider other potential conditions that could be relevant to your situation. This means we’ll thoroughly examine any and all conditions that could be causing your issues.
You’ll need to fill out two questionnaires before your assessment session.
The entire assessment will last for 80 minutes, which includes the time our specialist spends reviewing your completed questionnaires. The direct conversation with the specialist might be shorter or longer than 80 minutes, but don’t worry, there are no additional charges for this.
After the assessment, we’ll prepare a detailed report, which you can share with your GP. This will take about 3 to 4 weeks to complete. If you need it sooner, please let us know. It’s important that you read the report yourself before sharing it with your GP.
At any time, you can choose to have us coordinate your care with your GP, as detailed in our shared care agreement. Please read details about shared care agreements in relevant section below.
There is no difference in the quality of assessments done via video call compared to those done in person. However, we might ask for an in-person assessment if necessary.
Sometimes, we may need more than one session to fully understand your situation.
If it’s appropriate, our specialist might prescribe medication. The initial phase of starting medication often requires several follow-up visits (from 1 to 3) to adjust the dosage.
Before prescribing any medication, we might need to perform some health checks like measuring your blood pressure, height, weight, and pulse. If you have a family history of heart conditions, additional tests such as blood tests and an ECG might be necessary. These tests can be done through your GP or privately.
The cost of the first prescription is included in your assessment fee.
Prescriptions are processed within about a week. They are sent to our local pharmacy, who will then reach out to you regarding the cost and delivery of the medication.
When you receive a prescription, our specialist will explain any possible side effects and provide a leaflet for further information. If you have any concerns about side effects, mood changes, or changing medications, please discuss these during a follow-up appointment rather than messaging in-between appointments.
Changes to your medication type or dosage will only be discussed during scheduled medication reviews.
Once your medication dosage is stable, repeat prescriptions can be issued. However, any discussions about changing your dosage or medication should be done during a medication review.
As a new patient, you’ll be asked to fill out a detailed self-report form and a form completed by a relative who knows you well, ideally from before you were 12 years old.
This form should ideally be filled out by a parent, but a partner or sibling can also complete it if necessary.
If you’re already with us, you’ll need to complete a form that reviews how well your medication is working and any side effects you’re experiencing.
All forms will be sent to you at least 24 hours before your assessment.
Before you decide to enter into a shared care agreement, it's important that you first discuss it with your General Practitioner (GP). Your GP must provisionally agree to the arrangement before you can proceed with booking a private assessment. Here are the key details you should understand:
A shared care agreement allows your GP to take over the prescribing of specialist medications, such as stimulants that are usually initiated by specialists, for your convenience. This transition to your GP managing the prescription can only happen once your medication dosage is stable and you have adapted well to the medication.
Under this agreement, once your dosage is deemed stable by our specialists, we can formally refer you to your GP for ongoing prescription management. Although your GP will then sign and manage your prescriptions, you will still remain under the care of our specialists and should attend regular reviews to ensure the treatment remains effective and appropriate.
Once your care is transferred, your GP assumes legal responsibility for prescribing your medication. However, you remain under the specialist’s care for monitoring and further assessments.
If at any point you are discharged from our care, the shared care agreement will no longer be valid. In such cases, your GP might not be able to continue prescribing the medication if they cannot ensure the necessary monitoring and adherence.
Your GP has the right to refuse to prescribe the specialist medication if they lack the necessary information to monitor the treatment safely or if there are concerns about your adherence to the treatment. This is a safety measure to protect your health.
If you need to reduce your dosage or stop the medication, you must discuss this directly with our specialists. Changes to the treatment plan need careful consideration and should be managed by those who initiated the medication.
These practices are in line with guidelines from the General Medical Council (GMC), NHS England, and the British Medical Association (BMA), ensuring that your treatment meets national standards for patient care and safety.
This agreement is designed to streamline your care and ensure you receive your medications in the most efficient and safe manner possible.
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