This page explains who can and cannot be referred to Paloma Health. Please review it carefully before making a referral to ensure your patient is eligible.
Proudly providing NHS services
NHS Right to Choose Autism and ADHD Referrals
Thank you for your trust in our service. At Paloma Health, we are committed to supporting families by providing timely and high-quality care.
Paloma Health provides NHS Right to Choose referrals only, and we can only accept referrals from NHS GPs within England.
Below is the inclusion and exclusion criteria for both our NHS Autism and ADHD assessment services. Please read through this page carefully before making a referral for both services.
Paloma Health provides NHS Right to Choose referrals only, and we can only accept referrals from NHS GPs within England.
Below is the inclusion and exclusion criteria for both our NHS Autism and ADHD assessment services. Please read through this page carefully before making a referral for both services.
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Autism Inclusion criteria
We can accept children registered with any GP practice in England.
When making the autism referral, you will need to choose which pathway the young person is referred into for their autism assessment. Your options are:
Fully remote autism assessment pathway
All three appointments are done remotely via secure video calling. We can only accept young people to this pathway who are:
Aged between their 8th and 18th birthdays
Have no diagnosed or suspected learning disabilities, speech and language conditions or selective mutism (these young people must be referred to one of our hybrid pathways)
Hybrid autism assessment pathway in Exeter
Two appointments are conducted remotely, with the young person observation appointment held in person in Exeter. We can only accept young people to this pathway who are:
Aged between their 8th and 18th birthday
Willing to travel to Exeter, for one in-person child observation appointment
Hybrid autism assessment pathway in Norwich
Two appointments are remote, with one young person observation appointment in person in Norwich. We can only accept young people to this pathway who are:
Aged between their 8th and 18th birthdays
Willing to travel to Norwich, for one in-person child observation appointment
ADHD Inclusion criteria
We can accept children registered with any GP practice in England.
When making a ADHD referral, please ensure the young person meets the criteria below:
Fully remote ADHD assessment pathway
Both appointments are done remotely via secure video calling. We can only accept children to this pathway who are:
Aged between their 8th and 18th birthdays
Exclusion criteria
We appreciate your review of the criteria, as we want to avoid any potential disappointment for families if they are ineligible.
Prior Diagnoses and Age Limits
- Previous Diagnoses: The child has a previous diagnosis of Autism or ADHD (whether NHS or private). We cannot see children who already have an Autism or ADHD diagnosis.
- Age Restrictions: Children who are 7 years or under, or who have reached their 18th birthday or older.
Medical and Clinical Pre-requisites
- GP Physical Examination: Physical examination has not been completed within the last 2 months. GPs must screen for medical causes for the presentation, such as cardiac conditions, hearing issues, or speech and language conditions.
Mental Health, Crisis, and Inpatient Care
- Acute Inpatient Care: Currently hospitalised under the Mental Health Act (1983), or has an active or recent admission to an Acute Mental Health inpatient unit, 136 suite, or Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
- Crisis and Community Team Involvement: Active or recent involvement with Crisis/Home Based Treatment or Assertive Outreach teams.
- Complex Comorbidities: Children and young people with complex mental health comorbidities whose needs are better supported by specialist mental health provision.
- Severe or Untreated Conditions: Untreated, severe, or complex conditions such as schizophrenia, severe PTSD, psychosis, or active treatment for a psychotic episode.
- Suicidal Intent and Self-Harm: Currently active suicidal intent, severe self-harm, or severe unmanaged mental health disorders requiring urgent intervention. This includes recent (past 6 months) or ongoing self-harm or harm to others requiring medical treatment, suicidal thoughts, or suicide attempts without a GP risk management plan in place or being established. It also excludes those with active or recent episodes of self-harm, suicidal ideation, or significant self-harm requiring medical attention.
Neurodevelopmental, Cognitive, and Hearing/Vision Needs
- Cognitive Profile: Diagnosis of a Learning Disability, impaired cognitive functioning, or developmental delay.
- Hearing and Vision Needs: Severely to profoundly deaf children or those who use British Sign Language (BSL) as their first language (these children should be referred to NHS National Deaf CAMHS services).
Legal, Forensic, and Safeguarding Factors
- Legal and Court Proceedings: Individuals involved in ongoing legal cases, police investigations, child protection plans, or court assessments. This includes children in court proceedings where intervention is not advised under Home Office guidelines.
- Safeguarding: Any active safeguarding concerns requiring a Section 47 intervention.
- Justice System: Currently serving a prison sentence.
- Substance Use: Active or recent involvement with Drug and Alcohol Services.
How to refer
Thank you for reviewing our criteria
Please use the button below to create your NHS referral.
We will notify parents immediately once we receive the referral and let them know the next steps.
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