GP didn't send my referral for 4 months, PHL won't backdate :(

Hi all,

Half an advice request, half a rant, but wondering if anyone could share any wisdom to help me out here, or whether I just need to be told it is what it is and I just need to deal with it haha

Basically I requested an ADHD referral via my GP to the region's NHS adult ADHD service, which is provided by PHL. I did this in January last year, my GP gave me some forms to fill out and send back to them, which I did and have proof of doing so.

I emailed PHL in May as I'd updated some of my details, and they replied saying they didn't have a referral for me. After some back and forth, the referral got sent and PHL confirmed receipt of said referral. They mentioned in this email chain they would honour the original referral date.

In January this year, as part of some general housekeeping I emailed PHL to confirm I was still on their waiting list, to which they replied I was as of May 2025. I pointed out this should have been as of Jan 2025, but they objected. After some more back and forth, including my GP contacting them directly to explain that it was their admin error that meant my referral was not sent until May 2025 even though I had submitted all my paperwork in January 2025, PHL are still refusing to budge and honour the original referral date.

It really sucks that, after 16 months on the waitlist, I've been told I've got at least another 4 months to wait due to an error that wasn't my own and was completely out of my control. Heck had I not contacted them in May last year, I would have been sitting completely ignorant until I contacted them in January this year! So whilst it's only another 4 months, it's still very frustrating and disappointing. I have absolutely no idea how much longer I'll be waiting for an appointment overall.

Anything I can say/do to help fight my case? Don't want to complain to my GP directly as they are good with me and I don't want to bite the hand that feeds me, so to speak. FWIW I am not eligible for RTC, so this is not a pathway I can explore as an alternative I'm afraid.