ADHD Referrals

IMPORTANT UPDATE – 13/05/2026

The NHS Coventry & Warwickshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) have today informed all GP practices that the new All-Age ADHD & Autism Referral Policy has been made live.

Please see below information we have received from the ICB regarding this new policy.

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Important Notice for Patients and Parents/Carers/Guardians Regarding ADHD Referrals

We are writing to inform you that NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) will be implementing the new all-age Commissioning Policy for Referral and Assessment for ADHD and Autism on Wednesday 13th May 2026. This will replace the temporary emergency policy on ADHD assessment referrals that was introduced in May 2025.

The implementation of this new policy means that patients of all ages may now once again be referred for an ADHD assessment. Referrals for ADHD and autism should now be considered on the basis of clinical need and functional impact, rather than age alone.

What has changed
In addition to re-opening referrals for ADHD assessments for all ages, the new policy introduces a quality-based provider framework. All NHS-funded providers, including Right to Choose providers, are now expected to meet clear quality, safety, governance and follow-up standards, aligned to NICE guidelines.

The new framework introduces the expectation that providers should be able to both diagnose ADHD and initiate medication, including titration and physical health monitoring, prior to a patient being returned to primary care. This is designed to reduce inappropriate pressure on GPs to initiate ADHD medication.

The aim is for this new framework and the strengthened quality standards to increase the confidence in the robustness, quality and consistency of independent provider assessments, as well as the pre and post diagnostic support available to ADHD and autism patients.

The expectations of GPs regarding Shared Care Agreements remain unchanged; these remain voluntary and there is no requirement for GP practices to accept requests for SCA’s.

Referrals for autism were not affected by the temporary emergency policy the ICB introduced in May 2025 and should have continued as normal.

Referrals for ADHD or autism assessments
From the date the new policy is implemented, any patient who is registered with a GP practice in Coventry and Warwickshire may be referred for an ADHD or autism assessment where there is evidence that autism and/or ADHD-related concerns are having a moderate or greater impact on daily life. This applies to children, young people and adults.

Under the new policy, a referral for an ADHD or autism assessment can be made to any approved provider, including via Right to Choose. When making a referral, we would ask GPs to bear in mind that not all services are the same. Ideally, a provider will offer post diagnostic support, titration and have the ability to prescribe medications where appropriate.

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Requests for a referral
Should a patient now wish to be referred to a provider for an assessment, they must initially speak to a GP who will conduct a clinical assessment and advise on the next steps.

Patients who would like a GP appointment to discuss further can request an appointment by submitting an Online Consultation – Contact us about your request – Accurx Patient Portal