Patient guide
ADHD assessment in the UK: NHS, Right to Choose and private routes
There are three main ways to get an ADHD assessment: a standard NHS referral, the Right to Choose route in England and a self-funded private assessment. Each leads to the same diagnosis in principle, but they differ in waiting, cost and what happens afterwards, especially with medication. This guide compares them clearly.
Last checked: 2026-10-03
Key facts
At a glance.
-
Three routes
Standard NHS referral to a local service, NHS-funded assessment by a provider chosen under Right to Choose, or a private self-funded assessment.
-
Right to Choose
It applies in England only. It lets you choose any qualified provider with an NHS contract for certain services, with a GP referral.
-
Diagnosis is not the end
After diagnosis, the practical question is who will start and monitor medication and whether your GP will share that care.
-
Other UK nations
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have separate systems, and Right to Choose does not apply in the same way.
The standard NHS route
Most people begin with their GP, who may ask about symptoms, rule out other explanations and refer to a local adult mental health or neurodevelopmental service or, for children, a community paediatric or child and adolescent mental health team. NICE guidance on ADHD (NG87) says assessment should be carried out by a specialist with appropriate training, and should include a full clinical and psychosocial assessment and information from other sources where possible.
The disadvantage is waiting. In many areas, waits for adult ADHD assessment have been long, and referral criteria differ between services. The advantage is continuity, because the same NHS system will usually continue to prescribe and monitor.
Right to Choose in England
Under the NHS Choice Framework, patients in England can ask to be referred to a provider of their choice for a first outpatient appointment in many mental health services, provided the provider holds an NHS contract for that service in England. Many people have used it for ADHD assessment. You need a referral from your GP, and the provider must accept it.
It does not guarantee a quicker pathway in every case, and arrangements for medication afterwards vary. Some local NHS commissioners have raised concerns about the volume of referrals and about the arrangements for shared care. Ask the provider, before agreeing, what they will do about prescribing after diagnosis.
The private route
A private assessment involves paying a provider directly. Any clinician offering it should be appropriately qualified, registered with a professional regulator and experienced in ADHD. The assessment follows similar clinical standards, but a private diagnosis is not automatically accepted for NHS prescribing by every GP or service. Providers should be open about this before you pay.
Points to compare
-
Who will be assessing you and what are their qualifications and registration?
-
What does the assessment include, and does it use informants or records from childhood?
-
If diagnosed, who will start medication and review it?
-
Will your GP be asked to take on prescribing, and have they agreed to that locally?
-
What happens if you need adjustments in dose or have side effects?
-
What does the provider do if you are not diagnosed?
How medication fits in
Many ADHD medicines are controlled drugs and are started by a specialist, with doses adjusted over weeks while heart rate, blood pressure and weight are monitored. Once stable, the specialist may ask the GP to take over prescribing under a shared-care agreement. GPs are not obliged to accept this, and some will only do so if the diagnosing service meets local criteria. This is why the route you choose matters beyond waiting time.
Children and young people
For children, assessment is generally through community paediatrics or child and adolescent mental health services, often with input from school. Parents may use Right to Choose in England and private routes too. A multi-source assessment, including parents and teachers, is expected.
Frequently asked
Questions people ask.
Quick, plain-English answers to the questions we hear most.
-
Do I need a GP referral for Right to Choose?
Yes. The GP refers you, and you ask for a named provider that holds an NHS contract for the relevant service.
-
Is a private diagnosis valid?
It is a clinical diagnosis, but NHS services and GPs may have their own policies on accepting it for prescribing. Ask the GP practice before paying.
-
Can I use Right to Choose in Scotland or Wales?
No. It is an English NHS right, and other nations have different arrangements.
-
Will the NHS prescribe after a private assessment?
Sometimes, if the GP agrees to shared care. It depends on local policy and the GP.
-
How long should an assessment take?
Often a clinical interview of one to several hours, sometimes across more than one appointment, plus questionnaires and informant information.
-
What if the assessor says I do not have ADHD?
You can ask for a clear explanation of the reasoning and what other conditions were considered, and ask your GP about next steps or a second opinion.
-
Are online-only assessments acceptable?
Remote assessments are used widely. What matters is clinical quality, qualified assessors and a full history.
-
Is there an age limit for adult services?
Adult services generally take people from eighteen, with transition arrangements from child services.
Where this comes from
Sources and checking.
This guide is for information, not medical advice.
Your GP or consultant knows your history and can tell you which parts apply to you. If your symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening, or come with red-flag features, seek urgent medical care. Figures and availability change, so treat them as a guide and confirm with the provider.
Published 2026-10-03, next review 2027-10-03.
-
NICE guideline NG87, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management (nice.org.uk)
-
NHS England, Your choice of provider: Right to Choose guidance (england.nhs.uk)
-
NHS website, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) pages (nhs.uk)
-
General Medical Council, Good practice in prescribing and managing medicines and devices (gmc-uk.org)