Ongoing ADHD Care: Information and Next Steps

Welcome

Thank you for choosing WMI Psychiatry for your ADHD assessment. This page provides information to help you understand the next steps and the support available to you.

We aim to make ongoing ADHD care clear, safe and straightforward. This includes information about how treatment and follow up works within our service and answers some common questions about what happens next.

Prescriptions
Additional Support
Follow Up
FAQs
Side Effects
Contact Us
Shared Care

Your ADHD Journey

Every person’s journey is different, but treatment usually follows the pathway below:

Diagnosis → Medication Titration → Treatment Stable → Ongoing Reviews

Your clinician will work with you to develop a treatment plan that is appropriate for your individual needs.

Prescriptions

During Medication Titration

Follow up appointments are advised for every 2-4 weeks until the dose of medication is stable.

The length of titration varies between individuals. Some people reach a stable dose quickly whilst others require more time.

Medication dose adjustments must be done at appointments.

Prescriptions can only be issued monthly until the dose of mediation is stable. Once medication is deemed to be stable by your clinician, there is the option for prescriptions to only need to be requested every three months.

Requesting Prescriptions

To request a prescription, please contact the clinic by phone or email and we will email you a prescription request form for you to complete.

The following is required before a repeat prescription can be provided if the medication dose is not stable yet:

  1. Physical observations (blood pressure, heart rate, height and weight).

  2. A follow up consultation booked within the next 4 weeks.

We recommend requesting prescriptions at least 7 days before your medication is due to run out.

Prescriptions usually take between 3 – 7 working days to be processed depending on how you wish to collect it.

We do have the options for urgent prescriptions, which are aimed to be processed within 24 hours, but this has a £25 upfront fee.

If you are getting your medication delivered for free from Sedgley Park Pharmacy then please contact them on 0161 773 2750 to arrange payment and delivery of the medication.

Follow Up Appointments

Regular reviews are an important part of ADHD treatment.

These appointments allow us to:

  • Assess symptom improvement

  • Monitor side effects

  • Review physical health measurements

  • Consider medication adjustments

Once the medication dose is stable, review appointments are required every 3 months for patients under 10 years of age and every 6 months for those aged 10 years and older.

Failure to attend review appointments will result in discharge from the clinic as these review appointments are required by national guidelines.

If someone is discharged and books an appointment within the next month then they can be readmitted with a £25 administrative fee. If they do not get back to us within that timeframe then they will need to attend a full non-diagnostic ADHD assessment.

Cancellations or changes to an appointment need to be made at least two working days before your appointment or the appointment may need to be paid in full.

Shared Care Agreements

A Shared Care Agreement is an arrangement whereby your GP takes over prescribing of your medication whilst WMI Psychiatry continues to provide specialist oversight of your medication.

This means that your medication can often be prescribed through the NHS whilst your ADHD care continues to be overseen by our service.

Whilst many GP practices accept Shared Care Agreements, they are not obliged to do so and have the right to refuse our requests.

If your GP declines shared care, prescriptions will need to continue through WMI Psychiatry on a private basis.

Side Effects and Concerns

Please contact the clinic if you experience any concerning side effects from your medication. This can be done by phone or by email.

Please ensure to write ‘URGENT’ in the subject of your email if you need a reply within one working day.

Please seek urgent medical attention by contacting 999 or attending your local Accident and Emergency Department if you experience a medical emergency. WMI Psychiatry is not an emergency service.

Non-Medication Support

Many people benefit from additional support alongside medication.

Examples include:

  • ADHD coaching

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

  • School or workplace adjustments

  • Support Letters

Feel free to discuss this with your clinician or contact our administrative team if you need any additional support.

How You Can Help Us Support You

Successful ADHD treatment works best when there is a partnership between you and your clinical team. There are several things you can do to help us provide safe, effective and timely care:

  • Attend scheduled appointments

  • If you are unable to attend an appointment, let us know as soon as possible

  • Request prescriptions in good time

  • Provide monitoring information when requested

  • Tell us about side effects or concerns

  • Keep your details up to date

  • Follow medication advice

  • Ask questions

Early communication often allows concerns to be addressed more quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Will I Need Medication Forever?

    Not necessarily. Some people choose to continue medication long-term whilst others decide to stop treatment at a later stage. Any decision to stop medication can be discussed with your clinician.

  2. What Should I Do If I Miss A Dose?

    This depends on the medication you are taking. Please refer to the patient information leaflet supplied with your medication or contact the clinic if you are unsure.

  3. Can I Drink Alcohol Whilst Taking ADHD Medication?

    Alcohol may increase side effects and can impair judgement. You should discuss alcohol use with your clinician and follow the advice provided for your specific medication.

  4. What Happens If I Move GP Practice?

    Please inform us as soon as possible if you change GP practice as this may affect Shared Care Agreement arrangements.

  5. What Happens If I Lose My Medication?

    Please contact the clinic as soon as possible. Replacement prescriptions may not always be possible, particularly for controlled medications.

  6. Can ADHD Medication Be Prescribed Whilst Travelling Abroad?

    This depends on the country involved and the length of travel. Please discuss travel plans with us well in advance as some countries have restrictions regarding controlled medications.

Contacting WMI Psychiatry

For clinical queries, prescription requests and appointment enquiries, please contact the clinic by email or phone. Our contact details are as follows:

Please note:

  • We aim to respond to enquiries as promptly as possible.

  • Response times may vary depending on clinical workload.

  • Prescription requests are not processed outside normal working arrangements.

  • WMI Psychiatry is not an emergency service.

If you are at immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, please contact 999, attend your nearest Accident and Emergency Department or contact your local Crisis Team.

Final Thoughts

ADHD is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition, but effective treatment and support can make a significant difference to daily functioning and quality of life.

We look forward to supporting you throughout your treatment journey.