Will my assessment and condition be recognised by health and/or education?
We are the longest established private neurodevelopmental assessment service in Sheffield and have never had an assessment disputed by health or education settings. Our clinicians are highly skilled in neurodevelopmental assessment, follow NICE guidelines and have an excellent reputation locally for skills and experience. We are confident that our work is of the highest quality and would endeavour to resolve any difficulties which arise regarding the acceptance of our work in the public sector.
Can I access Cerebro via Right To Choose?
Unfortunately we are not currently able to accept referrals via Right to Choose. Right to Choose providers have a contract with a specific NHS regional Integrated Care Board which allows them to offer appointments for NHS service users. We are a very small company without the infrastructure to manage referrals on a Right to Choose basis. Right to Choose providers are often large companies who are able to finance large scale operations. We offer a more personal and locally focussed service without the long waiting times of many NHS or Right to Choose provisions. Our focus is to provide a more personalised neuroaffirmative assessment of the highest quality.
Can I access treatment for ADHD through Cerebro if ADHD is confirmed?
Whilst we do not offer a prescribing service, we have close links with NHS and private providers who are able to treat ADHD with medication.
Do you have a waiting list?
We do not currently have a waiting list and can see you quickly if you would like. We will also prioritise an appointments if there is an urgent need to be seen as quickly as possible.
How are the prices of assessments determined?
Neurodevelopment assessments require a high level of expertise, experience and training. Specialist resources such as psychometric tests and licences are expensive and need to updated regularly. In addition, a thorough assessment should be conducted over several lengthy sessions directly with you, as well as liaison with other informants who know you. Outside of these direct contacts we require a period of time to collate and analyse the information collected and will need to discuss the assessment in peer supervision. We also require time to write up a comprehensive report of your difficulties and feed this back to you. There may also be more than one professional involved in the assessment. Prices for assessments therefore include the cost of; training, materials, licences, insurance, administrative costs and direct clinical time.
We believe the overall price of our services are comparable to the cost of a quality assessment conducted within the NHS. We are also happy to match like for like quotes for assessments of a comparable clinical quality.
Where will appointments be held?
We can conduct appointments in your home, place of work, child’s school or a neutral clinical setting such as a well-being centre if you would prefer. If you have somewhere specific you would like to be seen we will be happy to consider any requests. We are based in Sheffield but can travel within the South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire area if required. We are happy to be flexible and discuss options with you when planning your assessment.
I work 9-5. When will my appointment be held?
We can offer appointments at weekends and evenings if these times suit you. We can provide confirmation of appointments for schools if needed.
Do you offer a screening service?
Yes. We offer a screening service to help you understand whether a full assessment may be appropriate, so you can make an informed decision without committing to the cost of a full assessment straight away. Screening is not a formal diagnosis. We are also happy to offer free consultation prior to booking any appointments.
What if I am not happy with the assessment process?
If for any reason you are not satisfied with your assessment please in the first instance, speak to your lead clinician. If you feel your complaint is not resolved, or you are unhappy with the conduct of the lead clinician for any reason, please contact Cerebro with the details of your complaint, in writing to our secure email address: cerebro_ltd@protonmail.com
Complaints should be addressed to the Clinical Director, with the subject heading ‘Complaint’. We will aim to respond to your complaint promptly.
If you have concerns about the professional conduct of the clinicians involved in your assessment, and do not feel these concerns have been dealt with effectively, you can contact the clinician’s professional regulatory body directly. For Clinical Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists, this is the HCPC (Health Care Professions Council).
https://www.hcpc-uk.org/concerns/raising-concerns
For medical doctors and Psychiatrists, this is the GMC (General Medical Council).
https://www.gmc-uk.org/concerns
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes. We are happy to offer 0% interest payment plans, helping you spread the cost of your assessment. Please contact us to discuss the available options before booking.
Do you offer face-to-face appointments with short waiting times?
Yes. We offer private, face-to-face ADHD, autism and learning disability assessments in Sheffield, with short waiting times and earlier access than many NHS pathways. Appointment availability can change, so please contact us to ask about the current waiting time and earliest available appointment.
What if I do not agree with the outcome of the assessment?
We will always give you an honest, professional opinion on what we believe to be the underlying factors contributing to your difficulties. We will work with you to ensure the opinion we give at the end of the assessment is one that you feels does fit for you. We will explore the possible pros and cons of receiving a diagnosis with you before we start the assessment, as well as helping you think about what it will mean if you do not get the diagnosis you were expecting. You are entitled to seek a second opinion on our assessment from another service provider if you wish.