Your ADHD Referral

Your ADHD Assessment and Treatment Journey

We understand that seeking an ADHD assessment can feel overwhelming. This guide explains each step of your
journey with us, so you know what the expect and feel prepared.

We recognise that everyones journey is different, and our team will support you through the process.

STEP
1

Referral From Your GP

Your journey begins when your GP refers you to our ADHD service. You have the Right to Choose your healthcare provider for your ADHD assessment and treatment. Your GP can refer you to us, regardless of where you live. 

Current ADHD Assessment Waiting Times

NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (WY ICB) has introduced a minimum waiting time of two years from the date of referral for routine ADHD assessments delivered by independent providers.

This means that patients referred for a routine ADHD assessment should expect to wait a minimum of two years before their assessment takes place.

This waiting time has been set by NHS West Yorkshire ICB and is not a waiting time set by Leeds GP Confederation.

Some patients may be considered for an urgent assessment where there are significant risks relating to safety, physical health, mental health or education, and where an earlier assessment would have a clear and immediate impact. Urgent referrals are subject to clinical review.

Your referral will remain with our service while you are waiting. We will contact you when we require information from you or when your referral is ready to progress.

Please ensure your GP has your current contact details and let us know if these change while you are waiting.

Patients referred through Right to Choose from outside West Yorkshire may be subject to different commissioning arrangements and waiting times.

STEP
2

Referral Review and Waiting List

Once we receive your referral, we will check that we have the information needed for your referral to progress.

You may be contacted and asked to complete additional forms or provide further information before your referral can be clinically triaged.

Once the required information has been received, your referral will progress through our clinical triage process and you will remain on the appropriate waiting list until an appointment can be offered.

Waiting times vary depending on the NHS commissioner responsible for funding your care. Please see our Current ADHD Assessment Waiting Times information above.

When you reach the appropriate stage of the pathway, we will contact you directly with information about your appointment and any next steps.

Waiting for an ADHD assessment?
Waiting times vary depending on the NHS commissioner funding your care. West Yorkshire patients are currently subject to the WY ICB assessment waiting-time arrangements.

STEP
3

Choose Your Appointment Type

Most appointments offered can either be:

  • Face-to-face (in person)
  • Remote (online video)

You can usually choose the option that works best for you.

If you decide to start ADHD medication, the first medication appointment will need to be face-to-face. This is so the clinician can carry out some important physical health checks to make sure treatment is safe for you.

After this, follow-up appointments may again be offered remotely where appropriate.

STEP
4

Length of Appointment

An ADHD assessment appointment will last approximately 3 hours. This allows time for a thorough and supportive evaluation of your experiences and needs.

An ADHD treatment appointment will last approximately 30-45 minutes.

STEP
5

Appointment Confirmation

You will receive confirmation of your appointment by text message and email. This will include:

  • The date and time of your appointment
  • Information about the purpose of the appointment
  • Instructions if you need to provide any additional or updated information

Please read this information carefully and follow any instructions provided.

Our face-to-face appointment location

Some appointments take place in person at Harehills Community Health Centre in Leeds.

Harehills Community Health Centre is the physical location where face-to-face clinics are held.
The surgery provides the building and clinic rooms, but the ADHD service itself is not run by Harehills Community Health Centre.

This means:

  • Reception staff at Harehills Community Health Centre may not be able to answer questions about the ADHD service
  • All ADHD-related queries should be directed to the Leeds GP Confederation ADHD service team
  • Your appointment, clinician and care are provided by Leeds GP Confederation, even when you attend the Harehills Community Health Centre site
Your Visit to our ADHD Service

STEP
6

Attending Your Appointment

Please attend your appointment at the scheduled time, and take note of whether this is in person or remote. 

If you are attending an assessment appointment, during the assessment, your clinician will:

  • Explore your current symptoms
  • Discuss your background and personal history
  • Review any questionnaires or supporting information
  • Consider whether your experiences are consistent with ADHD

This is a collaborative conversation, and you will have opportunities to ask questions throughout.

If you are attending a treatment appointment, during the appointment, your clinician will:

  • Review your previous diagnosis and current symptoms
  • Discuss treatment options, including medication where appropriate
  • Check your physical health if medication is being considered
  • Agree a personalised treatment plan with you

You will have time to ask questions and discuss any concerns.

STEP
7

Cancelling or Rearranging

If you need to cancel or rearrange your appointment, please contact leeds.confed@nhs.net as soon as possible so we can offer your slot to another patient. If you’re cancelling within the next 24 hours please call 0113 221 3541

STEP
8

Receiving Your Outcome

If you were referred for an ADHD assessment, you will be informed of the outcome following your appointment. A detailed report and recommendation letter will be sent to both you and your GP practice.

If you were referred for treatment following a previous ADHD diagnosis, your clinician will confirm the next steps in your care plan after your appointment.

STEP
9

Medication Journey

If you receive a diagnosis of ADHD and would like to consider medication as part of your treatment, a follow-up appointment will be arranged to discuss treatment options in detail.

During this appointment, we will:

  • Explain the available medication options
  • Discuss how they work, including benefits and possible side effects
  • Explore your preferences and answer any questions
  • Agree on a personalised treatment plan, if you choose to proceed

If medication is started, treatment usually begins at a low dose and is gradually adjusted to find the most effective dose with the fewest side effects.

STEP
10

Follow-Up and Monitoring

You will have regular follow-up appointments to:

  • Monitor your progress
  • Review how the medication is working
  • Check for any side effects
  • Make adjustments if needed

Where appropriate, we will communicate with your GP practice regarding your treatment and any shared care arrangements.

If you have any questions at any stage of your journey, please contact our team
we are here to support you.