Preparing for your child's NHS Right to Choose medication appointments

Your child or young person's initial appointment will last around 50 minutes. During this time, the clinician will get to know your child, their symptoms, and their health background so they can safely explore the treatment options with you.

They will ask about:

• the symptoms they're experiencing, where they occur, and how they affect their daily life, including their concentration, focus, organisation and activity levels at home and at school

• their medical history, including any heart conditions, seizures, tics, or other neurological issues

• their current medication and any family history of heart problems

• their psychiatric history and current mental health

• the preferences for treatment, their goals and what you both hope to achieve from ADHD medication to help personalise your child's care

You’ll also need to bring up-to-date readings of their blood pressure, pulse, height, and weight.

The clinician will talk through medication options with you, including how they work, possible side effects, and why regular monitoring is important. If it’s safe to do so, and you, and your young person depending on their age, give consent, they may start your child on a low dose with a clear follow-up plan.

Your child or young person's titration review is their first follow-up appointment after starting medication. It may take up to 30 minutes. It’s helpful to write down anything you want to discuss in advance.

Please be ready to talk about:

• any side effects you or your child have noticed

• any changes in your child’s ADHD symptoms, including focus, mood, sleep, or appetite

• how the medication is affecting your child’s everyday life

• any recent changes to your child’s health or any new medications they’ve started

We will usually also ask you to complete a questionnaire in advance to help assess their symptoms. This helps your clinician decide whether the current medication and dose is right or needs adjusting.

You must also bring your child's updated blood pressure, pulse, height and weight readings to this appointment. Without them, the clinician will not be able to issue another prescription.

At your child’s first medication appointment, the clinician will revisit their medical and family history in detail.

Sometimes, based on this information, we may ask your child to complete a few additional checks before starting ADHD medication. These might include:

• an ECG (to check your child’s heart rhythm)

• a blood test

• a letter or report from another specialist already involved in their care

These checks help us make sure that any treatment we recommend is safe and appropriate for your child. ADHD medication is well-researched and widely used, but every child is different, and we want to take every step to ensure that the treatment plan is right for them.

Your child’s safety and wellbeing is our top priority. These extra steps are simply part of making sure we are giving them the best possible care.

Follow-up appointments last up to 30 minutes. The clinician will:

• check how your child's ADHD symptoms are and whether anything has changed

• ask how medication is affecting your child's daily life

• review how well the medication is working and how long its effects last

• discuss any side effects your child may be experiencing

• check your child's blood pressure, pulse, and weight – these must be up to date, as the clinician can’t issue a prescription without them

• review your child's medication routine (when they take it and whether they're missing any doses)

• decide together whether to adjust your dose, change medication, or manage any side effects

It’s a good idea to write down any concerns beforehand so you can make the most of your time with their clinician.

Follow-up appointments typically last between 15 and 30 minutes, depending on how much needs to be reviewed.

If your child is doing well on their medication and no changes are needed, the appointment may be shorter. If the clinician needs to explore side effects or consider changes to your child's dose, it may take a little longer.

The six-monthly review checks that your child's medication is still right for them. The clinician will:

• assess whether your child's ADHD symptoms are being managed effectively

• check for any changes to your child’s physical or mental health, or any new medications they’ve started

• discuss any recent life changes (like exams, new teachers, or a change in school) that may be affecting their symptoms

• review your child's latest blood pressure, weight, and pulse

• talk through any concerns or questions you and your child may have

We will usually also ask you to complete a questionnaire in advance to help assess your child's symptoms. This helps your clinician decide whether the current medication and dose is right or needs adjusting. This helps ensure your child's treatment remains safe, effective, and tailored to their current needs.

We are required to check photo ID when prescribing controlled medications like ADHD prescriptions, to help us confirm that you are the child's parent or legal guardian.

This is for your child's safety and to meet legal guidelines. It helps ensure:

• medication is given to the right person

• no one else can collect medication fraudulently

• controlled substances are not misused or diverted

Even though you and your child may see the same clinician for each appointment, they’ll still need to check ID each time. Your passport, driving licence, or any official photo ID is fine.