ADHD medications are a controlled drug and potentially dangerous. As such they are only to be prescribed when a patient remains under regular review of a psychiatrist for safety reasons.
The “shared care agreement”, which many private psychiatrists often quote, is an agreement between GPs and NHS psychiatrists and does not automatically cover private services.
Over recent years there has been a significant increase in demand for assessment for ADHD and as a result the NHS Lothian waiting list is currently several years long. On top of this GP services continue to be significantly underfunded year on year whilst struggling with an ever increasing workload. Understandably many patients have turned to the private sector for access to diagnosis and medication. Until recently patients who received a private diagnosis could then be referred directly in to the NHS Lothian service for annual review with a much shorter waiting list than that of a full assessment.
GP practices were notified on 04/03/25 that this is no longer to be the case. From now on any new patients receiving a private ADHD diagnosis and referred on to NHS services will be added to the bottom of the NHS assessment clinic waiting list with a several year wait.
As a result, Links Medical Centre will not be taking over any new prescriptions for ADHD medications if a patient has only been seen by private psychiatry services.
If we had agreed to take over your prescription prior to March 2025, or if you are under the NHS review system, we will continue to provide your prescription as long as you attend routine monitoring as requested.
The above guidance may be subject to change dependent on practice workload and ongoing guidance from NHS Lothian.
Any feedback or complaints about this issue should be directed to The Patient Experience Team: Mainpoint, 102 Westport Edinburgh EH3 9DN Telephone: 0131 536 3370 (9am – 2pm) Email: LOTH.feedback@nhs.scot
ROAM
Free confidential sexual health testing service to help improve overall health and well-being for gay, bisexual, trans and all men who have sex with men.
The service aims to provide –
Full Sexual Health Testing
Access to PrEP including Assessments
Vaccinations for Hepatitis and HPV
Rapid 60 Second HIV and Syphilis Testing
Support and Advice
Condoms and Lube
Check out the website for all testing times and locations or call to arrange an appointment
Call MIA phone lines are open 8am-8pm, 7 days a week on 111.
Call MIA can provide virtual consultations for children aged 8 and over.
Children under 8 years old with a minor injury should attend one of the services at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Western General Hospital or St John’s Hospital, but if under 1yr should attend the Emergency Department at RHSC or SJH.
To confirm Call MIA is available to patients with injuries that are less than 14 days old.
Injuries it Can Advise on Include:
Strains, sprains and suspected broken bones to limbs only (not back, chest or abdomen).
Wounds and minor burns (not to face, groin or hands).
Minor bumps to head and face (with no vomiting or loss of consciousness).
Simple eye injuries.
Insect bites and stings with localised swelling and no evidence of allergic reaction.
Immunisations
We are still undertaking immunisations.
Whooping Cough if you are pregnant,
Pneumococcal if you are over 65,
Shingles if you are 70 (at 1st September) – 79, and
Pre-school boosters for those that are due.
Please telephone the surgery and an appointment will be arranged for you – 0131 554 1036.
Mental Health Services
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Mental health and wellbeing services are available providing free support for a range of conditions such as stress, anxiety, depression, feelings of panic, and help for people of all ages who are experiencing distress and in need of immediate response. This includes support for issues arising from the coronavirus pandemic.
We are open and available to help but please remember to make an appointment first.
Telephone support – If you’re struggling with your mental health or need emotional support you can call:
Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 open weekdays Monday – Thursday 6 pm to 2 am and weekends Friday 6 pm – Monday 6 am. You can also visit www.breathingspace.scot.
For urgent support please call NHS 24 on 111, 24 hours a day.
There are online resources to help with your mental health, whether you’re looking for advice, information, local support, or ideas for improving your wellbeing, visit: www.NHSinform.scot/mentalhealth.
For tips on how to get through difficulties arising from the coronavirus pandemic go to www.clearyourhead.scot.
Other Useful Links
Edspace
Is a Mental Health website run by NHS Lothian, service users, and others for people experiencing mental health difficulties, family and friends. It includes information on local counseling services, Self Help, and Fact Sheets. All below are brief examples of what is on the website www.edspace.org.uk.
Mental health Information station Every Thursday 0131 537 8650.
Telephone Based Support Living Life0800 328 9655 A free telephone-based service for people feeling low, anxious, or stressed.
Thrive Edinburgh – Thrive Edinburgh (edinburghthrive.com) – the innovative strategy for improving the mental health and wellbeing of all citizens in Edinburgh
Free 6 week evening classes; each week focuses on a different aspect of stress, how it affects us and how to cope with it. Classes are run in a lecture format with 20-40 people often attending during the day and up to 100 in the evening. You will never be asked to talk in front of the group or singled out. You will be given a booklet to accompany the class.
Small groups of up to 10 people where you can participate in discussion, share experiences and practice methods of managing anxiety. Telephone and register your interest by leaving your name and contact details on the answering machine. A course facilitator will then get in touch with you to tell you about the course and discuss if its right for you. Courses are run in various venues across Edinburgh. Each course last for an hour and a half each week, for 6 weeks.
We have restarted our Cervical Screening Programme but have made some changes to how we deliver this service. These changes are to make sure we can keep you and our staff safe during this difficult time.
Staff will be wearing the recommended personal protective equipment (PPE), and our reception and waiting areas will be quieter. However, we would like to reassure you that there is no change to the screening test itself.
Please telephone the surgery to book your appointment – 0131 554 1036 It is important that you attend your Cervical Screening as it can stop cancer before it starts.
We’re sorry if your last screening invitation was delayed because of Covid-19.
District Nursing Care
This is provided by the attached District Nursing Team, which provides skilled nursing care, support and advice to people in their own homes.
These are midwife-led clinics run by midwives from the Royal Infirmary Maternity Unit. If you have recently found out you are pregnant, please contact the midwives on 0131 5362009.