01732 792022

enquiries@sinclairstrong.co.uk

Sinclair-Strong Consultants Ltd (SSC)

NHS Accredited Provider for

Adult Autism & ADHD Diagnostic & Treatment Pathways

 

Sinclair-Strong Consultants Ltd (SSC) is delighted to confirm that we are now an accredited provider under the Kent & Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB) for NHS Neurodevelopmental Diagnostic Pathway services. This includes comprehensive Autism and ADHD diagnostic assessments, as well as pharmacological treatment for ADHD.

NHS Right to Choose (RTC)

Under the NHS Legal Right to Choose Guidance, patients have the legal right to select their provider for elective care, including mental health services.

  • Your GP must decide if it is clinically appropriate to make a referral.
  • Staff in the GP practice or a referral management team may be able to refer patients on behalf of their GP, according to locally agreed referral protocols and processes. However, in this instance, the patient’s GP would remain the responsible referrer and must ensure that any such referrals on their behalf are clinically appropriate.
  • Sinclair-Strong Consultants (SSC) Ltd is listed as an eligible provider under this scheme.

Right to Choose (RTC) does not apply to patients:

  • Who have self-referred
  • Who are already receiving care following an elective referral for the same condition
  • Who are referred to a service that is commissioned by a local authority (not part of a joint commissioning arrangement) or delivered through primary care
  • Who are accessing urgent or emergency (crisis) care
  • Who are serving as a member of the armed forces
  • Who are in prison or detained in hospital under Mental Health Act 1983 or a secure service

Is prior approval from the patient’s responsible ICB required before referral?

No prior commissioner approval is required for referrals where the patient has exercised ‘choice’ of provider under their legal rights. However, GPs are expected to comply with any local ICB commissioning policies and only refer in line with these.

  • GPs will need to understand exactly what NHS service the patient will receive before they refer into the service.
  • Where initiatives such as Clinical Assessment Services or Single Point of Access (SPA) are put in place, these should not obstruct the patient’s legal rights. In these circumstances, choice should be offered at the most appropriate point in the pathway before an elective referral.
  • Further information regarding the right to choose is available on the NHS website.

Information for GPs and Primary Care Partners

GPs are encouraged to support ‘patient choice’ by:

  • Discussing RTC options with patients.
  • Ensuring referrals are clinically appropriate and aligned with ICB commissioning policies (see below).
  • Naming Sinclair-Strong Consultants (SSC) Ltd on the referral form where clinically appropriate and where patients exercise their right to choose.

Patients should be aged 17.5+ years to be eligible to be referred to our adult services.

Autism Referrals within Kent & Medway ICB:

  • All autism referrals must be made by GPs to Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT).
  • Patients should indicate Sinclair-Strong Consultants (SSC) Ltd as their preferred provider on the referral form. KCHFT will triage and forward eligible referrals to us directly.

Autism Referrals from All Other ICB Areas:

ADHD Referrals from All ICB Areas:

Referral Form/s:

Why Choose Sinclair-Strong Consultants Ltd?

Trusted Provider

SSC Ltd is a long-serving trusted provider to Kent & Medway ICB, commissioned via the ICB for the Kent and Medway Complex Autism Service (KAMCAS) due to our expert Consultant-led Psychiatry, Psychology and Multidisciplinary Team. SSC is also commissioned to deliver diagnostic assessment and treatment services for those with complex needs, including those who have intellectual disabilities and/or co-occurring moderate to severe mental health conditions.

Waiting Times & Quality Assurance

✅ Important Update on Waiting Times and Referrals (NHS Right to Choose) 

Last updated: 6 May 2026 

We continue to accept referrals from across England under NHS Right to Choose. However, some NHS Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) have introduced local restrictions due to funding limits and high demand. 

This means that, depending on where you live, there may be delays, approval steps, or temporary pauses before we can progress your referral. 

What this means for you 

  • Your referral will remain valid and you will not lose your place in the queue 
  • We will contact you as soon as we are able to progress your referral 
  • You do not need to contact us while waiting  
  • Your GP can continue to support you while you wait 

These changes are set by your local NHS commissioner (your ICB) and are outside of our control. 

🔴Areas where referrals are currently paused or closed

If you live in one of the areas below, we are temporarily unable to progress new referrals at this time: 

  • NHS Kent & Medway – ADHD Diagnostic Assessment (waiting times approx. 2 years) 
  • NHS Greater Manchester – Closed – We cannot accept any RTC referrals  
  • NHS Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland (paused for the remainder of 2026/27) 
  • NHS West and North London (including North Central London and North West London) (paused for the remainder of 2026/27)) 
  • Norfolk & Suffolk (paused for the remainder of 2026/27) 

In these areas, you may wish to speak to your GP about alternative NHS providers. 

🟠 Areas requiring approval before we can proceed and subject to funding limits

In some areas, we must obtain approval from the NHS before we can book your appointment: 

  • NHS Black Country – undertaken via SSC  
  • NHS Staffordshire & Stoke‑on‑Trent – undertaken via GP 
  • NHS South East London (ADHD assessments only)- undertaken by GP 

This means: 

  • Referrals for approval are submitted on your behalf  
  • You will be contacted once a decision is made 
  • You do not need to do anything during this stage 

🟡 Areas with extended waiting times or funding limits 

  • In the following areas, referrals are still being accepted, but waiting times may be longer than usual: 
    • NHS Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire 
    • NHS West Yorkshire 
    • NHS North East & North Cumbria 

    In these areas, we may need to pause temporarily while we await further funding by your ICB.  

Current Waiting Times for non-affected ICB Areas (Indicative and Subject to Change)

  • Adult RTC ADHD Assessment: 12-18 weeks
  • Authorisation to provide NHS ADHD medication prescriptions (where clinically appropriate) Medication wait times: Dependent on clinical suitability – typically 12 -18 weeks
  • Adult RTC Autism Assessment: 10-12 weeks

💬 Frequently Asked Questions 

  1. Will I lose my place if there are delays?                                                                                                                                                                                                                      No — your RTC referral will stay in place, and we will contact you when we are able to proceed.
  1. Can I be seen sooner?
    This depends on your local NHS commissioner. In some cases, your GP may be able to discuss alternative options with you or seek commissioner approval. 
  1. Do I need to contact you to check?
    No — we will contact you as soon as there are updates. However, you are welcome to get in touch if your situation changes. 

    Shared Care Agreement Needed for Post-Titration?

    • Not required but recommended
    • Shared care agreements are requested for all patients stabilised on medication
    • If shared care is declined by the GP, Sinclair-Strong will continue to prescribe for patients where GP refuses, and annual reviews are conducted for all patients

    Next Steps for Patients

    • Stay informed: We will contact you as soon as an appointment becomes available.
    • Reach out if needed: If your circumstances change or you need support while waiting, please contact your GP for advice and assistance.
    • Explore options: You may wish to discuss alternative pathways with your GP if waiting times are a concern.

    How to Contact Your GP for Support

    If you are struggling while waiting, your GP is your first point of contact. They can:

    • Offer medical advice and review your current health needs
    • Discuss alternative treatment options or pathways
    • Provide urgent support if your condition worsens

    Mental Health Support

    If you are feeling anxious, low, or overwhelmed during this waiting period:

    • Speak to your GP about mental health concerns—they can refer you to appropriate services
    • You can also contact your local NHS mental health service directly for urgent help
    • If you are in crisis, call NHS 111 or 999 in an emergency

    Your wellbeing matters, and help is available while you wait. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to improve access for everyone.

    💙 We understand this may be frustrating 

    We know waiting for assessment or treatment can be difficult. These delays are due to national demand and local NHS funding decisions, not the capacity of our clinical service. 

    We remain committed to: 

    • Supporting all patients referred to us 
    • Being transparent about waiting times 
    • Progressing your care as soon as we are able 

    🌿 Waiting Well: Looking after yourself while you wait 

    We understand that waiting for an assessment or treatment can be difficult. While you are waiting, it’s important to look after your mental health and overall wellbeing. 

    💬 Speak to someone you trust 

    • Talk to your GP if your symptoms change or worsen 
    • Share how you’re feeling with family, friends, or a trusted person 
    • Consider local support groups or online communities 

    🧠 Support your mental health 

    Simple steps can make a difference: 

    • Keep a regular routine where possible 
    • Try to maintain sleep, food, and activity patterns 
    • Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps 
    • Be kind to yourself — waiting is not your fault 

    🧩 Self‑help strategies 

    • Use reminders, lists, or planners to help with organisation 
    • Take regular breaks, especially if you feel overwhelmed 
    • Create a calm, low‑stress environment where you can 

    🚶 Stay physically and socially active 

    • Gentle exercise such as walking can support wellbeing 
    • Spending time outdoors can help reduce stress 
    • Keep in touch with others, even in small ways 

    ⚠️ When to seek more support 

    Please contact your GP urgently if: 

    • Your mental health worsens significantly 
    • You feel unable to cope 
    • You experience thoughts of harming yourself 

    You can also access urgent support services such as NHS 111 (option 2), call 999 in an emergency or local crisis teams.  

    Quality Assurance

    As an accredited provider, Sinclair-Strong Consultants (SSC) Ltd meets Kent & Medway ICB’s quality and service standards, including Kent & Medway shared care agreements and ongoing monitoring responsibilities. SSC will work closely with other ICBs’ shared care protocols to ensure patients receive the best possible care and treatment for their needs.

    Contact Us

    For further information or to discuss referrals, please contact:

    Our online referral form will be published soon; in the meantime, please request via the above referral enquiries email.

    All completed and eligible referrals must be emailed to referralsRTC@sinclairstrong.co.uk