Neurocalm.co.uk
Neurocalm.co.uk
Neurocalm
within the existing system
Why access our professional service
The average waiting time (2023) in the UK for ADHD assessment (diagnosis) is around 7-9 months, with a staggering 24% waiting over 12 months and 13% waiting over 2 years.
However, it is the statistics around support that are most concerning, over 30% of patients with a diagnosis receive no further treatment (Medical or Psychological) and those that do receive treatment can wait up to 12 months post diagnosis to begin treatment.
The Labour government's 2024 manifesto stated that a Labour Government will “Use spare capacity in the independent sector to ensure patients are diagnosed and treated more quickly” backing earlier Labour statements including “The government in England should increase its use of the private sector to tackle the NHS backlog,”.
GP's can use this service to assist their local patient population.
Our NICE compliant Treatment
Neurocalm PsyT
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management - NICE guideline [NG87]
Published: 14 March 2018
Says:
1.5 Managing ADHD -Planning treatment
1.5.16 - Consider non-pharmacological treatment for adults with ADHD who have:
• made an informed choice not to have medication
• difficulty adhering to medication
• found medication to be ineffective or cannot tolerate it. [2018]
1.5.17 Consider non-pharmacological treatment in combination with medication for adults with ADHD who have benefited from medication but whose symptoms are still causing a significant impairment in at least one domain. [2018]
1.5.18 When non-pharmacological treatment is indicated for adults with ADHD, offer the following as a minimum:
• a structured supportive psychological intervention focused on ADHD
• regular follow‑up either in person or by phone.
It is under these guidelines [NG87] that Neurocalm PsyT has been created.
How Neurocalm PsyT can help GPs
Patient Centred Approach
The Patient must always be the primary focus in the prescribing of treatments, whether that be their medical history, personal circumstances, lifestyle and the specifics of their diagnosis. Whilst medication is approved for use; and found to be extremely successful in many circumstances it is not (a) the only treatment; nor (b) always the best.
Methylphenidate (the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD) has a number of side effects, many of which can, counterintuitively, worsen the quality of life of the patient, they can be addictive creating a dependancy; and with long-term use can be less effective adding both more medication into the patient’s system as well as cost to the NHS.
Additionally, ADHD patients around the UK are finding they can't get hold of medication since a national shortage was announced in October 2023.
Dr Saadia Arshad, a consultant psychiatrist, who specialises in diagnosing and treating people with ADHD, said in October 2023 that the shortage is “not a new issue, but it's a recurring one".
Given these problems, and whilst conceding that for many medication may well still be the best option, Neurocalm PsyT should be considered a viable non-medical support programme available throughout the UK
(a) no pharmalogical side effects, (b) no addictive connotations; and (c) no ‘supply issues’.
Better for the Patient, the NHS & the Public Purse
GP use of Neurocalm & Neurocalm PsyT
Easing Existing GP Practice Headaches
Direct Referral for Diagnosis
If your PCN is within an ICB area with a current active framework for Adult ADHD (Diagnosis & Treatment) you can refer your patient directly to Neurocalm for an in-person diagnosis.
However - if your patient would prefer, we are partnered with an Adult ADHD virtual assessment team.
Patients on the Wait-List for Diagnosis
There is a wealth of data available to show the effect of early intervention treatment in numerous mental health and neurological conditions, where the patient gains invaluable information about their condition, understanding how their traits, behaviours and actions may affect them and others, learning coping mechanisms and ways to manage their symptoms.
Whilst someone might have ADHD (as yet undiagnosed) and either be on a current waiting list (NHS) or not - they may be suited to early-intervention treatment.
Our adjusted course (for a pre-diagnosis cohort) of Neurocalm PsyT, referred patients (via GP) can begin early-intervention treatment prior to assessment, which given current timeframes, this might be as much as 7-9 months.
By doing this GPs can potentially reduce the associated anxiety and depression of wait-list residents. Additionally, patients undergoing early-intervention treatment will possess the necessary skills and mechanisms on diagnosis, possibly preventing medication and their associated system costs.
Your Patients on a Wait-List for Treatment
The wait list for treatment, post an ADHD diagnosis is interminable, with some as long as 12 months, possibly exacerbating the symptoms and the challenges associated with ADHD, with the person waiting possibly experiencing new challenges, such as anxiety and depression, leading to sickness absence from work, conceivably with additional medication required.
Neurocalm PsyT, given its virtual class-room setup can be accessed anywhere in the UK, with minimal waitlist and treatment can begin immediately.
The Unseen Wait-List
Whilst many wait as long as 1 year to receive treatment, some choose not to seek treatment (30%) potentially owing to long wait-times.
These patients (potentially thousands), fall through the system-gap.
ADHD can be debilitating for some, for others affecting their quality of life within a Neurotypical world, for a minority, ADHD presents no demonstrable challenges, and they have built their own coping mechanisms.
However, this 30% remain untreated. Accepting that among this number, possibly thousands, chose not to seek treatment as the treatment proposed (at the time) did not suit them.
Neurocalm PsyT, may be a viable alternative, and a successful one, to what they were offered initially.
Prescribed Treatment – GP
If a patient's GP agrees to "shared care" with a private provider, the NHS will fund the care, and the patient will only need to pay the NHS prescription charge. Whilst GPs are not required to share care with private providers, Neurocalm will work with the PCNs across the country, to ensure that Neurocalm PsyT is available to all GPs for their ADHD patients - regardless of which organisation performed the initial patient ADHD assessment.
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