We are receiving an increasing number of requests for referrals for ADHD or autism assessments. Before contacting us please read the following information which explains the referral options.
Referral for Children (up to age 18)
Referral to Local NHS Services for Assessment and Diagnosis
If your child is >6 years of age and attends school
The school should be referring the child rather than the GP.
A new referral pathway was established in June 2024 allowing schools to refer directly for ADHD and autism assessments. This change recognises that schools are better placed to gather the necessary information and refer rather than the GP.
Please see this website which goes through the referral process. If needed please pass this information onto school so they can read the content and refer you on.
6 years plus Assessment Team | NCH&C (norfolkcommunityhealthandcare.nhs.uk)
If your child is >6 years of age and is either home schooled or does not attend school at all
Referrals in these circumstances need to come via the GP so do contact us via our appointment system.
What if my child is <6 years of age?
ADHD – At present we cannot refer for ADHD assessments if a child is under 6 so if you have concerns your child has ADHD, you do need to wait until their 6th birthday before seeking referral. You can get support if needed via Just One Norfolk
Autism – We can refer under the age of 6 if there are concerns about autism (for example if there are significant social communication problems). Please contact us via our appointment system to arrange this.
Referral via Right to Choose
Right to Choose provides you the option of asking for a referral to a particular provider of your choice for assessment.
Please note:
- You need to investigate and decide which provider you would like us to refer to, we cannot recommend providers
- You can find a list from https://adhduk.co.uk/right-to-choose/
- This provides information on what Right To Choose is and the providers available and their inclusion / exclusion criteria
- Once you have chosen a provider, please visit their website and ensure you have filled out all the pre-referral information (each provider will require something different to refer and without this information we will be unable to refer)
- Then contact us to ask for a referral to one of the listed providers
- If, following an assessment medication is prescribed, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to provide this medication
- Every so often, providers will pause accepting any new referrals
Referrals for Adults
Referral to Local NHS Services for Assessment and Diagnosis
ADHD
We can refer adults for suspected ADHD. There are very specific pieces of information which we need to include with the referral. We have prepared an electronic pre-referral questionnaire to send to patients seeking referral to gather all the necessary information.
You can contact us via our appointment system to request one of these questionnaires.
Autism
Adults (18+) can self refer for an NHS autism assessment via Autism Service Norfolk. You do not need a GP appointment to access this service and the details on how to refer are outlined on their website. It does mention that if you self refer you should inform your GP. You can do this by either speaking to one of our reception team or using our online consultation tool PATCHS. To self refer please visit this link:
Autism Service Norfolk | NCH&C (norfolkcommunityhealthandcare.nhs.uk)
Right to Choose
Right to Choose provides you the option of asking for a referral to a particular provider of your choice for assessment.
Please note:
- You need to investigate and decide which provider you would like us to refer to, we cannot recommend providers
- You can find a list from https://adhduk.co.uk/right-to-choose/
- This provides information on what Right To Choose is and the providers available and their inclusion / exclusion criteria
- Once you have chosen a provider, please visit their website and ensure you have filled out all the pre-referral information (each provider will require something different to refer and without this information we will be unable to refer)
- Then contact us to ask for a referral to one of the listed providers
- If, following an assessment medication is prescribed, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to provide this medication
- Every so often, providers will pause accepting any new referrals