ADHD Referral Process:
Referrals are accepted on a case-by-case basis. Once your referral and necessary investigations have been received from your General Practitioner (please refer to the checklist), it will be reviewed and prioritised at the weekly clinic meeting. Following this, we will contact you to offer you an appointment or recommend a possible alternative approach.
Throughout your assessment at the clinic, we would request that you be accompanied by a family member or friend to provide support and/or additional information
We recommend that all patients attending the clinic maintain a close relationship with their referring General Practitioner, as the doctors at the clinic will need to correspond with your General Practitioner.
Getting started with an ADHD assessment at Gosforth Clinic
Before we can book your assessment, your GP will need to complete and send a full referral kit. This ensures we have all the information needed to provide you with the right care and support.
Here’s what your GP must include:
Referral letter – Addressed to Dr Philip Bird.
Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) – Email to info@gosforthclinic.com.au. Your GP will need to complete this with you. It is available via the GP tool kit section on our website.
Urine Drug Screen (UDS) – A clear result is required before your assessment.
Electrocardiogram (ECG) – A heart rhythm check, required as a baseline for all patients.
Previous Diagnosis – If you have already been diagnosed with ADHD or a similar condition, please send any previous reports or notes from other healthcare providers to the Clinic before your first appointment. This helps our team better understand your history and needs.
Essential Information Form – Your GP will need to complete this with you. It is available via the GP tool kit section on our website.
This kit includes all the forms and a simple checklist your GP can follow to make sure everything is completed and ready to go.
What to Expect at Your Appointments
Before Your First Appointment
If you have already been diagnosed with ADHD or a similar condition, please send any previous reports or notes from other healthcare providers to the Clinic before your first appointment.
This helps our team better understand your history and needs.
Your First Appointment: Pre-Assessment
Who you’ll see:
What to Expect:
- You’ll talk about your current symptoms
- We’ll explore your history from both childhood and adulthood
- You’ll complete a few short rating scales and questionnaires
This session helps us get a clear picture of your background and how ADHD affects you.
Your Second Appointment: Diagnostic Assessment
Who you’ll see:
What to Expect:
- You must bring a support person to this appointment
- If they can’t attend in person, they must be available by phone during the session
- They will help provide extra information about your history
Tip: Bringing someone who knows you well can help make sure we get the full picture and support you through the process.
Follow-up Consultations
Who you’ll see:
What to Expect:
Following your assessment with Dr Bird, should a diagnosis be made and a treatment plan implemented, you may then see Dr Rachelle Smyth or Dr Shirley Oelofse for reviews.