Request for assessment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADHD Medication changes outside of review appointments
- Medications will only be reviewed and/or changed at routine 6 monthly appointments.
- If you have any queries or concerns about side effects please contact us if needed.
ADHD waiting list for treatment
- Due to changes in care delivery, and the current demand on the service for medication, we now have a waiting list for ADHD medication after you have been given a diagnosis.
- We are currently unable to give you a timescale for treatment. We are working through this list in date order.
ADHD diagnosis from a private provider
- We recommend you research private providers to ensure their ADHD assessment is in line with NICE guidelines.
- If you pay for an ADHD assessment privately and it does not meet the standards set out in NICE guidance, we cannot provide further treatment such as medication.
- Further assessment would be needed, and this is subject to our usual waiting times.
- If you have an ADHD diagnosis from a private provider, you will need to remain with the private provider for your treatment intervention until we contact you.
- Your private diagnosis does not change your position on the NHS waiting list. This list continues to be managed in date order.
Please allow 5 working days for any prescription requests. ADHD prescriptions can only be given by a member of the ADHD prescribing team.
The Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) service provides specialist assessment, diagnosis and treatment, and on-going management and support for children and their families. Additionally, we offer an ADHD Parenting Group, providing help and advice to carers and families in supporting children with ADHD. We may also provide further assistance by liaising with other agencies when needed.
Waiting list for ADHD assessment
Unfortunately, we currently have an extensive waiting list and are unable to give a time frame for assessments. We are working through referrals in the order they have been received, and we will contact you by letter when we are ready to start the assessment.
We apologise for the delay and are doing everything we can to ensure children and young people are seen as soon as possible.
Please note, we are unable to accept telephone calls directly from families whilst on the assessment waiting list.
The Parent Factor in ADHD
The Parent Factor in ADHD is a Barnardo’s programme which has been written for parents of children aged up to 16 years who have a clinical diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The aims of the programme are to:
- Increase parents knowledge of ADHD and how it is treated
- Give parents insight into how it feels to be a child with ADHD
- Give parents advice on how to foster a positive relationship with their child
- Provide parents with strategies to support children to regulate their behaviour
Sessions
Session 1 – An overview of the parent Factor in ADHD and the opportunity to share stories.
Session 2 – Provides relevant and understandable information about ADHD.
Session 3 – Thinking about parenting styles, and the extra tasks required when parenting a child who has ADHD.
Session 4 – The importance of good communication, both listening and talking, and thinking about ways in which children learn to gain attention.
Session 5 – Self-esteem and how we can raise children’s self-esteem.
Session 6 – The importance of feelings and their impact on behaviour. How we can support children to regulate their emotions.
Session 7 – The education system and children’s rights within it. Sleep hygiene, social stories and sensory issues.
Session 8 –How we can support growing children with relationships (inside and outside the family), puberty and adolescence.
We recognise the important role parents and carers play in their child’s recovery and understand that they will on occasion need support for themselves.
We also understand that you may be a young carer. You are classed as a young carer if you are under 18 and help to look after a relative with a disability, illness, mental health condition, or drug or alcohol problem. You may do extra jobs in and around the home, help out with other siblings or give emotional support to others.
We can advise you on how to access help and support in your caring role. Please speak to your worker or visit our Carers resources website page for more information.
We believe it is very important you, your carers and families have opportunity to design and improve our services. The Lived Experience Service provides support to people who want to be involved in developing our services. This team provides a range of projects and activities that people can take part in. If you are interested in finding out more, please visit the Lived Experience Service website pages.
Feedback is very important to us. Fill out our Your Voice survey to anonymously have your say and comment on the ward or service you have experienced.
- ADHD and You
Helpful information for anyone with ADHD and their families. - ADDISS
An information and support service for anyone with ADHD and their families. - ADHD Foundation
Tel: 0151 541 9020
Offers support and advice to anyone with ADHD and their families. - ADDitude
A website providing information, webinars, and resources for young people with ADHD, their families, and professionals. - Witherslack Group
A useful website providing advice and webinars for families and professionals.
How to get referred
Referrals are accepted by email. Please read our referral criteria and complete all documents below, including the referral form.
Please be aware we have an extensive waiting list for initial assessments, and we are currently unable to give a timeframe for appointments. Where a Child or Young Person has an existing diagnosis of ADHD, we are required by NICE guidance to confirm the diagnostic criteria is met before considering treatment.
Our specialist ADHD service is made up of a team of experienced professionals from a range of backgrounds and disciplines. Together we provide assessment and treatment of ADHD for children and young people and their families in North Cumbria.
Before referring for an ADHD assessment
If there are concerns about symptoms of inattention, and/or impulsivity/hyperactivity having a negative effect on a child or young person’s quality of life, professionals should take the following steps before making a referral for further assessment:
- Implement reasonable adjustments
- Observe behaviour for 10 weeks and make notes, including any changes and patterns in behaviour
- Parents and carers should be encouraged to access support, guidance from the links available
- If the above steps have been taken and there are still concerns about inattention, and/or impulsivity/hyperactivity a referral for ADHD assessment should be considered
Referral criteria
- Aged between 5 and 17.5 years
- Evidence of 6 or more specific symptoms of ADHD
- Evidence that the symptoms are causing moderate to severe impact
- Evidence that the symptoms are present in home, educational, and social settings
- Symptoms have not improved when adaptations and environmental modifications have been implemented in educational settings
- Children and Young People who have an existing ADHD diagnosis
- We also consider if the symptoms can be explained by other health, social, or learning needs
Please note:
- Young people aged 17.5 years should be referred to Psychiatry UK
- If a child or young person is not reaching expected developmental social, or academic targets, we would recommend speaking to the education setting
How to access our service
- Fully completed referral form (parent/school/referrer sections)
- Supporting Parent/Carer Information pack (includes SNAP IV rating scale)
- Supporting Education Information pack (includes SNAP IV rating scale and Concentration Chart)
- Supporting evidence from additional settings, e.g clubs and hobbies
- Any relevant reports and documents (Early Help, Educational Psychology, etc.)
How to contact us
If you would like further support to make a referral, please contact at CMB-ADHDNCumbria
If you would like a paper copy of the above, please contact the service to request this.
We do not accept self-referrals at the current time.
Contact the service
Telephone: 01228 603 810
Address: Fairfield Centre, Carleton Clinic, Cumwhinton Drive, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA1 3SX
Open: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Telephone: 01228 603 810
Address: Park Lane Clinic, Park Lane, Workington, Cumbria, CA14 2RR
Open: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
North Cumbria CYPS ADHD
Unit 23
Lillyhall Business Centre
Jubilee Road
Workington
CA14 4HA
Telephone: 01228 603 810
Please note: this address is not used for patient appointments