Medication Initiation Pathway

This is a referral onto a medication pathway led by a neuro-affirmative adult psychiatrist service. If you feel you would benefit from a referral Dr Newman works with MOAI to enable her clients to obtain access to medication such as ADHD, Autism and Learning Disability related concerns and for mental health conditions.

MOAI Medication Initiation Pathway | ADHD and Autism

Often individuals may have a diagnosis, but can’t access the treatment when they need. If referred back to NHS services, they can be waiting up to two years in some areas, to begin the medication process. In response to this growing challenge, their Medication Initiation Pathway is available to support clients, carers and their families who want to explore the option of medication as part of their ADHD treatment plan. MOAI Clinical is a Psychiatrist led, CQC regulated service providing exceptional outpatient care for young people and adults aged 5 to 65 years old.

How does it work?

Following a client being referred to our clinic, presuming access to relevant reports is granted, they will review the diagnostic assessment by a Consultant General Adult Psychiatrist. If deemed necessary, further clarification may be sought from the referrers regarding the assessment, or a recommendation made on the need for further assessment. An initial 1-hour consultation (£580) will be offered to the client to review the need for medication and to discuss medication options in detail. This will involve a physical health review. Additional physical health investigations may be necessary, such as an Electrocardiogram (ECG). These investigations would be provided by a clinic outside MOAI Health at an additional cost or from their GP. We may be able to provide ECGs in-house in future and will inform you of the fees once established. Medications for ADHD require regular monitoring for effectiveness and adverse effects, in addition to regular physical health monitoring, as per NICE guidelines. After titration and dose stabilisation, prescribing and monitoring of ADHD medication can be carried out under Shared Care Protocol arrangements with primary care. Under a Shared Care Protocol, GPs can take over prescribing and physical health monitoring, with the expectation there continue to be regular specialist reviews regarding the ongoing need for medication and its effectiveness. Follow-up appointments will most likely be 30-minutes (£290), or longer if deemed necessary. 2 Assuming a straightforward titration, clients would expect to have follow-ups at 1 month (1-hour) following starting medication, 3 months (30 minutes), and 6 months (30 minutes) thereafter. Once a client is stable on a dose for 3 months, a Shared Care Protocol with their GP can be requested. Controlled drug prescriptions issued by us are charged at £50 when issued outside of a clinical appointment. Once a Shared Care Protocol is agreed, it is recommended specialist reviews continue to take place every 6-12 months.