Clinics & Services
Chronic Disease Clinics
Contraception & Cervical Screening
The doctors, practice nurses, and nurse practitioner are all available for contraceptive advice and cervical screening.
Contraception & Cervical Screening
Minor Operations
Advice on Stopping Smoking
We run various clinics here at the surgery. Please ask at reception for further information or contact One You Plymouth:
Anxiety & Depression
Plymouth Options offers a range of services to people experiencing common mental health problems to people who are 16 years and over and registered with a Plymouth GP.
ADHD - Getting a diagnosis
This page is designed to help adult patients navigate the process of a possible ADHD diagnosis.
What is ADHD
ADHD is a developmental disorder with onset in childhood and characterised by a range of symptoms such as
- carelessness and lack of attention to detail
- continually starting new tasks before finishing old ones
- poor organisational skills
- inability to focus or prioritise
- continually losing or misplacing things
- forgetfulness
- restlessness and edginess
- difficulty keeping quiet and speaking out of turn
- blurting out responses and often interrupting others
- mood swings, irritability, and a quick temper
- extreme impatience
It is increasingly being diagnosed amongst adults struggling to fulfil their potential in employment and education settings, as the symptoms in childhood may have been masked by good family structures and school support. People with ADHD often struggle in their personal lives and can experience difficulties in relationships with friends, colleagues, and family. ADHD is heritable disorder and frequently exists in families across the generations, and in the clinic, we sometimes diagnose parents of children with ADHD, who themselves were never diagnosed in childhood.
While the core symptoms of ADHD are found in many people some of the time, when they are severe and persistent over time and lead to impairments across different settings, a diagnosis can be made. ADHD can impact on low self-esteem, cause distress from the symptoms of ADHD, impaired social interactions and relationships, behavioural problems, and the development of comorbid psychiatric conditions such as anxiety, depression, addictions.
The Process
Before going on to the next steps please have a look at the following information about shared care agreements and referral options.
Shared Care Agreements
Although we are doctors some medication is only prescribed by specialists, ADHD medications are an example of these. We understand that going back to a specialist each time you need a prescription is cumbersome. So, for certain medications we prescribe under what is known as a shared care agreement. We prescribe the medication on the understanding that we can seek appropriate timely guidance from a clinician when needed. However shared care agreements are voluntary and there may be certain circumstances where it is deemed inappropriate.
Referral Options
Our local Plymouth Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Assessment service
This is the local NHS service and although currently (Aug 2025) has the longest waiting time has a robust diagnostic process. We will agree to take over the prescribing and monitoring once any medication has been stabilised.
Private referral
This is in most circumstances the quickest route to a diagnosis. Due to its nature private healthcare will incur a cost. If and once a diagnosis of ADHD has been reached all ADHD medication will need to be prescribed by the private provider and it will be left to you the patient to pay for any prescriptions and appointments for the monitoring of the medication. If unfortunately, you can no longer pay for this service you will need to start the process again within the NHS.
Right to choose
You may have heard of right to choose and had friends, family members or colleagues be diagnosed by one of the many private companies that hold contracts to provide psychiatric services. This is, however, not as straight forward as it may seem. Not all of them have appropriate policies in place that enable us to safely prescribe on their behalf. However, there are several that do.
More information can be found here about right to choose providers whom NHS Devon ICS (Integrated Care Systems) feel it is appropriate to have shared care arrangements with.
https://southwest.devonformularyguidance.nhs.uk/referral-guidance/key-messages/adhd-and-autism-faq
Next Steps
If you would like to discuss the possibility of a diagnosis with a GP, please book an appointment and bring with you.
- A written summary of how symptoms of ADHD (please see above) have affected you in different areas of your life using the following headings.
- Childhood, school, and education
- Relationships
- Work and employment
Take time to do this, it is often helpful to talk to parents, previous teachers, and previous/current employers if you can.
- A copy of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale. A pdf of this form can be found from the following link.
https://add.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/adhd-questionnaire-ASRS111.pdf
- A decision on whom you would like to be referred too.
Sexual Health & HIV Services
NEW WEBSITE FOR GUM SERVICES AT DERRIFORD HOSPITAL
Marie Stopes – During COVID-19 the Marie Stopes Clinic is still offering a full service proving help and advice for patients who are pregnant and want to discuss their options.
‘We’re here to support you through your decision about a pregnancy, and talk to you about the options available to you.’ Marie Stopes UK
Please see below:
Weight Loss Drugs - GLP1
WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS
We have become aware that an increasing number of our patients are accessing the new GLP-1 medications (injectable weight loss drugs) from online pharmacies, in-person pharmacies, and other providers. We would encourage any patients who are accessing medications in these ways to ensure that they are obtaining medication from a reputable provider who is regulated, trained in the provision of such medications, and able to monitor them safely.
MEDICAL HISTORY AND NOTES
In addition, we would encourage you to be open and honest with your provider about your medical history. You can do this in two ways:
1. Use your NHS app to access your online care record and look through it with your provider.
2. If this is not an option, we recommend that you contact us for a patient summary printout, which you can take with you to look through with your provider.
We are only able to provide a patient summary printout if you request it. We cannot send this directly to the provider without your express consent, for confidentiality reasons.
If anything changes in your medical care or medical conditions, including if you’ve seen a doctor at this surgery, you must inform the private provider. There is no direct communication between the GP practice and your private provider, and therefore, the responsibility lies with you to inform them of any change in your medical condition.
CONTRACEPTION AND HRT
In addition, we have recently become aware of reports that GLP-1 medication can reduce the effectiveness of oral medications such as oral contraceptive pills and possibly the oral progesterone component of HRT, which protects the lining of the womb. If you feel that you may be affected by this information, please contact the GP practice and book an appointment to review your contraception and/or HRT.
Miscarriage and Baby Loss
The Miscarriage Association is a charity that offers support to people who have lost a baby, contact them direct and they can put you in touch with a support volunteer.
HELPLINE: 01924 200 799 Monday – Friday 9am – 4pm
EMAIL: info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk
Tommys
Saving babies’ lives | Tommy’s | The pregnancy and baby charity
Pregnancy and Baby loss support.
‘We have information and support for anyone who has experienced the loss of a baby, whether through miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death, or termination for medical reasons.’
Plymouth Autism Spectrum Service (P.A.S.S)
The Plymouth Autism Spectrum Service (P.A.S.S.) has been developed to provide a dedicated and specialist service for adults with autism, their families, health & social care services and to collaborate with community organisations within Plymouth. P.A.S.S. offers two services: 1) Advice Service 2) Specialist Training and Consultation Service available to adult Livewell SouthWest services and relevant adult Plymouth City Council services.
Please see attached leaflet for more information on this service and how to refer.
Travel Advice
Travel Advice
If you require any vaccinations relating to foreign travel you need to complete the travel questionnaire and return to reception. The practice nurse will then contact you about your form and book an appointment with you if needed. This will include which countries and areas within countries that you are visiting to determine what vaccinations are relevant.
Alternatively or if you are travelling in less than 3 weeks, you can obtain Travel Vaccines from some Pharmacies in Plymouth or the AquaMarine Health Clinic
https://www.aquamarinehealthclinic.co.uk/
-Travel-risk-assessment-form-2022
Travel Vaccination at Short Notice Information
West Hoe Travel Vaccination Fees
There is further information about countries and vaccinations required on the links below
| Europe & Russia | North America |
| Central America | South America |
| Caribbean | Africa |
| Middle East | Central Asia |
| East Asia | Australasia and Pacific |
It is important to complete the travel risk assessment form, as early as possible – at least 6 weeks before you travel – as a second appointment will be required with the practice nurse to actually receive the vaccinations. These vaccines have to be ordered as they are not a stock vaccine. Your second appointment needs to be at least 2 weeks before you travel to allow the vaccines to work.
Some travel vaccines are ordered on a private prescription and these incur a charge over and above the normal prescription charge. This is because not all travel vaccinations are included in the services provided by the NHS.
