ADHD diagnosis in the Essex ICB area
We’re Healthcare Central London, an NHS Right to Choose provider for Adult ADHD diagnosis.
Supporting your patients in the Essex area
Healthcare Central London is accredited by the NHS Essex Integrated Care Board to support Adult ADHD diagnosis via the Right to Choose pathway in your area and beyond.
This page is designed to give you everything you need to refer patients to our service.
Download our referral guide
Our aim is to provide thoughtful, respectful care that helps people understand their ADHD and make informed decisions about their next steps.
Learn more about our team and the referral process below.
Expert clinical leadership
Our service is led by Dr Balu Pitchiah, an award-winning Psychiatrist. He has worked with more than 25,000 neurodiverse patients, with a particular focus on high-functioning autism, ADHD, and neurodivergent women in the perimenopausal stage.
Hear from Dr Balu below.
How to refer
Healthcare Central London accepts adult ADHD referrals via the NHS e-Referral Service (eRS) under the Right to Choose pathway.
To help make the referral as efficient as possible, we’ve developed a folder of content to guide you through the process.
Download our referrer guide
Within the file you’ll find:
- The mandatory eRS referral you need to complete, selecting Healthcare Central London as the service provider.
- Additional documents that the patient must complete – you can support them through this process by completing the documents with them. Documents include: an Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, an informant form or a WURS form for those who do not have an informant.
- A step-by-step guide on making the referral via eRS.
Referrals must be submitted using the NHS e-Referral Service (eRS). The process is:
- Discuss ADHD concerns with the patient and agree that referral is appropriate.
- The patient requests referral to Healthcare Central London under Right to Choose.
- Select the Healthcare Central London ADHD service on eRS.
- Complete the referral and attach the required information (see below).
- Submit the referral via eRS.
Once received, the service will contact the patient directly to arrange assessment and discuss any required adjustments.
Join our next free webinar for healthcare professionals!
Eligibility criteria
Patients are eligible for referral if they:
- Are aged 18 or over
- Are registered with a GP in England
- Are seeking an ADHD assessment
- Meet criteria for referral under NHS Right to Choose
- Referrals should be made in line with NICE guidance (NG87).
Download our referrer guide
Referral information required
Please include:
- Patient demographics and NHS number
- Confirmation of patient consent
- Brief clinical summary and relevant history
- Current medications Any known risks or safeguarding concerns
- Reason for referral (suspected adult ADHD)
- Information about the patient’s informant
Required baseline information:
- Height – within the last 12 months (unless there has been a relevant change)
- Weight & BMI – within the last 3 months
- Blood Pressure – within the last 3 months
- ECG – only if clinically indicated (e.g., relevant cardiac history or medications)
Blood tests: NICE guidance does not mandate routine blood tests prior to ADHD medication initiation. However, as part of our service protocol to support safe and holistic prescribing, we request the following within the last 12 months (or more recently if there are known abnormalities):
- Full Blood Count (FBC)
- Urea & Electrolytes (U&E)
- Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
- HbA1c
- Lipid profile
- TSH (if known or suspected thyroid issues)
Please note, we request baseline information before a referral is accepted. This is to help with the patient process, and to avoid delays and administration needed from you further down the line. This is a tried and tested approach that we feel benefits everyone.
Further information
Learn more about full assessment process and shared care agreement over on our GP information page.
ADHD service – GP referral process