Diagnostic assessment, prescribing and titration, a consultant-led, GP Federation-delivered service for patients across Kent and Medway.
Specialist care, local expertise
DGS Health is pleased to announce that it has been conditionally awarded a new NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board contract to provide ADHD diagnostic assessment, prescribing and titration services for patients across Kent and Medway.
The contract is for an initial three-year term, with the option of a further one-year extension, and represents an important milestone in the continued development of DGS Health as a trusted provider of high-quality NHS services.
This is a new service for DGS Health. Following a competitive process, the organisation was successful because of the strength of its proposal and the quality of the service model developed.
Specialist expertise brought together with the accessibility, continuity and local knowledge of primary care.
A service model that includes prescribing and titration, adjusting medication to an appropriate dose under clinical supervision.
An experienced team working collaboratively to deliver safe, timely and high-quality care.
Important assessment information
Current Integrated Care Board (ICB) restrictions limit access to ADHD assessment until 2027. During this period, we will prioritise the following groups.
Individuals with evidence of safeguarding concerns, including family court proceedings, child or adult protection concerns, individual vulnerability, abuse or neglect.
Individuals involved in current criminal justice proceedings where ADHD symptoms may be relevant.
Transition referrals from children's to adult services.
Individuals with escalating mental health needs, clinically identified by an appropriately trained professional as being exacerbated by ADHD symptoms and where ADHD medication may be appropriate to reduce or manage clinical risk.
Being in a priority group does not guarantee an assessment or medication. No specific reopening date in 2027 has been confirmed in the information provided.
For referring professionals
ADHD diagnostic assessment, prescribing and titration service.
The approved referral form and submission instructions are not yet available on this page. Please contact DGS Health for current referral guidance.
The download will be available once the approved PDF has been supplied.
Building the service
The successful bid was built around a consultant-led, GP Federation-delivered model, bringing together specialist expertise with the accessibility, continuity and local knowledge of primary care. DGS Health has assembled an experienced multidisciplinary team that will work collaboratively to deliver safe, timely and high-quality care for patients.
The service has an interesting history. The concept was originally developed during a period when the Federation was seeking innovative ways to diversify its income and strengthen its long-term sustainability. What began as a response to organisational challenge has evolved into a significant opportunity to improve access to specialist care whilst creating additional capacity and expertise within the local health system.
Established in 2014, DGS Health has grown into a mature and trusted NHS provider. While many GP Federations nationally have faced significant challenges over recent years, DGS Health has continued to strengthen its governance, operational capability and financial resilience. Today, the organisation delivers a growing portfolio of NHS services, including the Dartford & Gravesham Urgent Treatment Centre, alongside a range of services supporting member practices and the wider health system.
This latest contract represents more than the delivery of a single service. It reflects the confidence that NHS Kent and Medway has in DGS Health’s ability to deliver high-quality services at scale and supports the organisation’s ambition to become an integral part of a Kent and Medway-wide Primary Care Provider Collaborative.
That ambition aligns closely with the strategic direction being developed across Kent and Medway. Federation leaders from across the county are actively working together to establish a Primary Care Provider Collaborative, with organisational development work well underway and legal teams developing the governance and organisational structures required to support the collaborative. The aim is to create a strong, clinically led provider organisation capable of supporting the NHS’s shift towards delivering more care in neighbourhood, community and primary care settings.
DGS Health looks forward to working closely with NHS Kent and Medway, member practices and system partners to deliver an outstanding service for patients while continuing to develop innovative models of care that support the future sustainability of primary care across Kent and Medway.
“This contract represents another important milestone in DGS Health’s journey. Over the past twelve years we have evolved from a Federation established to support member practices into a trusted provider of NHS services with an established track record of delivery. This award reflects the strength of our consultant-led, GP Federation-delivered model and demonstrates what can be achieved when experienced clinicians and operational leaders work together with a shared purpose. We are also encouraged by the increasingly positive relationships we continue to build with NHS Kent and Medway and look forward to playing our part in developing a strong Primary Care Provider Collaborative that supports the future of neighbourhood healthcare across Kent and Medway.”
Chief Executive Officer, DGS Health
The organisation would also like to place on record its sincere thanks to Jolyn Phillips, Director of Operations, and Kate Bushell, Chief Nurse, whose vision, leadership and determination have been instrumental in developing this service from concept through to contract award. Alongside their substantive roles, they have invested an extraordinary amount of time and energy in designing the service model, preparing the bid, building the operational framework and working through the many complexities required to bring the project to fruition. Their commitment has gone far beyond what could reasonably have been expected, and this achievement is a testament to their professionalism and dedication to improving care for patients across Kent and Medway.
Your questions
About the service, assessment priorities and referral information.
Our service is available to adults aged 18 and over who are registered with a GP practice in Kent and Medway and are experiencing symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
The service provides comprehensive assessments to help identify ADHD and offers advice and support tailored to individual needs.
Referrals must be made by your GP or an appropriate healthcare professional through the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS).
If you think you may have ADHD, please speak to your GP to discuss your symptoms and whether a referral would be appropriate.
Once we receive your referral, our team will contact you and provide a patient information pack and questionnaires to complete.
When all the required information has been returned, a clinician will review your referral to determine whether our service is appropriate for your needs.
We will then contact you to confirm the outcome and explain the next steps.
Your assessment will be carried out by a qualified clinician who will explore your symptoms, medical history and how your difficulties affect your everyday life.
The assessment may include reviewing questionnaires, discussing your experiences from childhood through to adulthood and considering other factors that may contribute to your symptoms.
Following your assessment, we will explain the outcome and discuss appropriate recommendations and next steps.
Waiting times can vary depending on the number of referrals received and the availability of appointments.
Unfortunately, we are currently unable to provide an estimated waiting time.
Once your referral has been accepted, you will be placed on our waiting list and contacted when the next stage of your assessment is ready to be arranged.
There is no need to contact us for routine updates, as our team will be in touch when further action is required.
