Skip to main content

Example ADHD Referral Letter

Dear Dr,

I am writing to refer a 28-year-old male patient of mine, Mr [Patient's Name], for assessment for the diagnosis and treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). After a thorough clinical assessment, I believe that Mr. [Patient's Name] meets the criteria for adult ADHD as outlined in NHS guidance for primary care teams in SE London.

Mr [Patient's Name] has been under my care for XX years and, during this time, he reports several symptoms (greater than five symptoms in total) consistent with ADHD in adults that have been present for more than six months. These symptoms include difficulties in focusing, following through on tasks, hyperactivity, forgetfulness, impulsiveness, restlessness, and irritability. Mr [Patient's Name] also reports being easily distracted, struggling with time management, organisation, and completing tasks efficiently.

Many of Mr [Patient's Name]'s symptoms have been present since he was under 12 years old; and have been affecting his daily life and ability to function at work as well as his personal relationships. These symptoms are not due to any other medical or mental health conditions or to alcohol, drug or substance use; and are having a negative impact on his academic and/or occupational roles. The symptoms are present in more than two settings (at home, school, or work; with friends or relatives; and in other activities). He presents evidence that these symptoms either interfere with or reduce the quality of his social, academic, or occupational functioning.

Mr [Patient's Name] currently works as a [OCCUPATION], a role he has held for XX years. He is in a [STABLE] personal relationship and lives in his own home with his partner. He does not report any financial problems that may be affecting his mental health. He completed secondary school education and then attended / did not attend higher education.

Mr [Patient's Name]'s other medical problems include [ADD LIST]. His current medication comprises [ADD LIST]. He has not previously been diagnosed with a mental health condition or received treatment for mental health problems. He does not use any recreational or illicit drugs, and his alcohol consumption is within normal limits (XX Units per week). He is a non-smoker. A recent physical examination identified no abnormalities, with normal blood pressure (XXX/XX) and normal body mass index (XX.X). 

Risk Assessment: [Include any historical or current risk history relating to; risk to self, risk to others, self-neglect, vulnerability/exploitation/, safeguarding]. 

Given the severity and persistence of his symptoms and the impact on his well-being, I believe that a specialist assessment by the ADHD team is necessary. I am confident that your team has the expertise and resources to provide Mr. [Patient's Name] with an accurate diagnosis and an effective treatment plan so that he can manage better in the future.

Thank you for considering this referral. I am available to provide any additional information that may be helpful in the assessment process. I have attached the relevant NHS referral form and Mr [Patient's Name]'s  results from the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1) Symptom Checklist Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help with his referral for specialist ADHD assessment.

Yours Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[General Practitioner (GP)]

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Protecting Against the "Quad-demic": Influenza, Covid-19, Norovirus and RSV

As the NHS braces for a challenging winter season, it is grappling with a "quad-demic" of health emergencies caused by influenza, Covid-19, norovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This confluence of viral threats poses a significant risk to public health in the UK as well as putting strain on healthcare resources, emphasising the importance of preventive measures to safeguard public health. Public health measures such a vaccination and good personal hygiene are pivotal in reducing the impact of these illnesses, particularly for vulnerable groups. The Four Viruses: What Are They? Influenza: A highly contagious respiratory infection that causes significant illness each winter. It can lead to severe complications, particularly in the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and those with chronic health conditions. Covid-19: Though its most acute phase has passed, Covid-19 remains a concern, especially as new variants of SA...

MPH Student Presentations on the NHS Care.Data Programme

As part of a session on primary care data in the Health Informatics module on the Imperial Master of Public Health Programme, I asked students to work in two groups to present arguments for and against the NHS Care.Data programme. Care.Data is an NHS programme that will extract data from the medical records held by general practitioners (GPs) in England. The Care.Data programme takes advantage of the very high level of use of electronic medical records by GPs in England. After extraction, data will be uploaded to the NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC). The data will then be used for functions such as health care planning, monitoring disease patterns and research. The programme has been controversial with proponents arguing that the programme will bring many benefits for the NHS and the population of England; and opponents arguing it is a major breach of privacy. You can view the two presentations to help inform you further about these arguments: Arguments fo...

How can we work successfully across the health and care system to make a success of Pharmacy First?

Pharmacies in England to begin treating patients for seven common conditions. How can we work successfully across the health and care system to make a success of Pharmacy First? 1. The Pharmacy First scheme aims to provide convenient access to healthcare through community pharmacies. Patients with minor ailments or common conditions can seek advice and treatment directly from their local pharmacy instead of visiting a general practice, urgent care centre or emergency department. The conditions covered by the scheme may vary depending on local funding arrangements and participation of pharmacies.  2, A potential problem with Pharmacy First is pharmacists misdiagnosing a patient's condition. It may also lead to delays in patients seeing doctors when medical assessment is needed. To mitigate these risks, appropriate safeguards and referral pathways should be established, ensuring timely medical assessment when necessary. The scheme will also increase the workload of pharmacies, thereb...