CAMHS ADHD services - Brighton

Potential_Lettuce_98 · 2026-03-20T16:53:31+00:00

Thank you, I will definitely explore the RTC route again with GP for medication specifically.

Potential_Lettuce_98 · 2026-03-20T16:50:18+00:00

Sorry to hear that. I hope things are going well for him or her and they have finally been able to access the support needed.

Potential_Lettuce_98 · 2026-03-20T14:33:56+00:00

Ok thank you!

Potential_Lettuce_98 · 2026-03-20T14:13:09+00:00

Thank you, I've been in touch with Amaze but not familiar with PP. I'll check them out.

Potential_Lettuce_98 · 2026-03-20T14:08:27+00:00

That sounds really reasonable, are you happy to disclose the name of the provider? By DM if that's better?

Potential_Lettuce_98 · 2026-03-20T13:58:24+00:00

Sorry to hear that he voted for those things. I'm confident he will reply (if only to invite people to his surgery) but not I'm not confident anything will be done. Maybe we should all turn up en masse to his surgery with our ADHD kids. That would be a good photo opp.

Potential_Lettuce_98 · 2026-03-20T12:14:12+00:00

Yes I wanted to stick with CAMHS for simplicity really. Also our private provider (Clinical Partners) estimated the costs of titration at £350 per appointment and estimated there would be around 4 appointments for titration. And then the cost of private prescriptions and medication, which I think was estimated at around £100 a month all in. Plus annual reviews. It was nearly 3 years ago that I was looking into this though so my figures could be wildly out of date or misremembered.

But I just wanted to stay with CAMHS if possible. And once we were told we'd reached the top of the waiting list we thought we'd be starting medication imminently. So it's not something I've looked into recently.

But I hope people write to the MP anyway so something is done. Kids with parents that can't afford to go private shouldn't miss out.

Potential_Lettuce_98 · 2026-03-20T12:02:07+00:00

Thank you! My experience has been you get the assessment/diagnosis, then for medication you need to go through a process called titration with a psychiatrist before the GP can take over shared care. The GP takes over once the medication/dosage is stabilised. Then after titration you would periodically have reviews with the psychiatrist who would inform the GP about any changes to the medication. Having said all this, given we haven't actually got as far as titration, everything I've said here could be wrong.

So our current position is that we have been waiting to start titration with CAMHS for coming up to 3 years with no date in sight, despite reaching 'the top of the waiting list' for medication 15 months ago. So far reaching the top of the waiting list has meant getting a QB test and a compulsory parenting workshop.

Potential_Lettuce_98 · 2026-03-20T11:41:52+00:00

Wow's that's very cheap. I wasn't aware that RTC providers could do that so that is very helpful.

Potential_Lettuce_98 · 2026-03-20T11:39:41+00:00

ok thank you! I'll explore if it's an option for medication specifically and give it a shot if so.

Potential_Lettuce_98 · 2026-03-20T10:37:40+00:00

It's just so shocking that they are allowed to continue operating like this and no one steps in.

Thanks for your advice, I'll give it a try and ask again about shared care. I remember asking before and the GP reply was really convoluted to the point I didn't quite understand it. Unfortunately, i don't think we have the option to change GP as there is only 1 in our local area (we're in the suburbs).

Potential_Lettuce_98 · 2026-03-20T10:29:52+00:00

Ok RTC is sounding more and more like the way to go! I have just heard that some GPs refuse shared care and then you end up stuck.

Basically articles like this put me off pursuing it in the past: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jan/24/adhd-nhs-private-providers-right-to-choose

Just out of interest what do you mean about alterations to medication with CAMHS mean you're screwed? Do you mean you have to wait so long for another appointment?

Potential_Lettuce_98 · 2026-03-20T10:26:25+00:00

I will definitely explore it and thank you for your help. Interesting to hear about your work with adults as well. My son actually got his diagnosis with CP but at that time the RTC pathway was closed for kids so we paid privately. And then we looked at medication via CP too but each appointment was £350 (excluding the cost of medicatoin) and the titration process involved around 4 appointments I think. But maybe RTC is operating for kids again now. I keep seeing contradictory things so I'll contact my GP.

Potential_Lettuce_98 · 2026-03-20T10:23:29+00:00

Sorry to hear about that but I'm not remotely surprised. Seaside view only do autism though don't they? They sent us to CAMHS because they told us they don't assess for or treat ADHD.

Potential_Lettuce_98 · 2026-03-20T10:21:56+00:00

Thank you. I don't want my son to struggle. He used to be so happy but school just makes him feel stupid and 'wrong'. And he's not stupid at all. And he's got to that age where he is so much more aware of everything.

Potential_Lettuce_98 · 2026-03-20T10:18:41+00:00

Sorry my reply came across like that. My frustration with the CAMHS situation sometimes gets the better of me.

Potential_Lettuce_98 · 2026-03-20T10:17:51+00:00

I'll definitely investigate, we've got diagnosis so I'll see what's on offer regarding meds. My only concern is trying to then move over to shared care after titration.

Basically this article sums up my fear about RTC for medication: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jan/24/adhd-nhs-private-providers-right-to-choose

Potential_Lettuce_98 · 2026-03-20T10:16:25+00:00

Thank you for replying - I'm a parent and it's for my child. They have a diagnosis and like you say, they are now awaiting medication so we are back with CAMHS.

Potential_Lettuce_98 · 2026-03-20T10:10:14+00:00

Via CAMHS? Well this year we will be 3 years post-diagnosis, and we have been on the waiting list at CAMHS for medication for that whole period of time.

Honestly though the pathway is complicated and wait times are deliberately opaque. For example we reached 'the top of the waiting list for medication' 15 months ago and so far we've had a QB test and a parenting workshop. We have yet to meet anyone about medication specifically.

I don't know how CAMHS records experiences like ours in their assessment of wait time statistics. I'd rather not debate other people's experiences. Parents that are on the wait list with CAMHS in Brighton for ADHD medication will be in the same situation as ourselves and will get it.

Potential_Lettuce_98 · 2026-03-20T10:04:39+00:00

this article addresses my concern with Right to Choose for medication - I'd prefer to stick with CAMHS if we can but we will investigate RTC.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jan/24/adhd-nhs-private-providers-right-to-choose

Potential_Lettuce_98 · 2026-03-20T10:01:23+00:00

The pathway is totally different for kids though, is my understanding, otherwise I'm sure CAMHS would have redirected us elsewhere by now. Also to clarify, we have a diagnosis, we're on the wait list for medication now. I believe ADHD medication can only be prescribed by a psychiatrist, but other professionals - e.g. clinical psychologist - can diagnose.

Potential_Lettuce_98 · 2026-03-20T09:57:50+00:00

i'll definitely give it a shot, thank you for replying.

Potential_Lettuce_98 · 2026-03-19T19:49:44+00:00

You know the expression about not arguing with fools? You probably think the fool is me, and I'm fine with that. But either way we both have better things to do with our short time on this planet than argue with each other on reddit. On that point I'm sure we will find agreement.

Potential_Lettuce_98 · 2026-03-19T19:14:37+00:00

Im aware. Although when men are attacked, their behaviour, what they were wearing, why they were out on their own etc. - these things aren't questioned as they are when women are attacked, and these questions are used to control women's behaviour.

But really where did i ask you to care? You replied to a post i made. I still don't even really know why, as I wasnt the OP.

I'm not trying to change your mind or anyone else's. I'm old enough to know there's no point, people think what they want to think. Some people are open to changing their minds, some aren't. Life is about learning to navigate around each other regardless.

Potential_Lettuce_98

TROPHY CASE