Getting an ADHD assessment in the UK has never been more confusing or more important. Awareness has exploded, waiting lists have grown into years in some areas, and a whole ecosystem of private ADHD clinics has appeared alongside NHS services.
If you’re struggling with focus, organisation, mood, or impulsivity – or your child is – you’ve probably already discovered the problem: the need for assessment is urgent, but the system feels slow, complicated and inconsistent.
This guide explains, in plain UK English:
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How ADHD assessment works
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The difference between NHS, “Right to Choose” and fully private routes
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Typical private costs and what you actually get for your money
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When and how the NHS might accept a private diagnosis or share prescribing
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Why “NHS rebates” aren’t really a thing – but what’s possible instead
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Real examples of how people in the UK are navigating this in 2026
It’s written for adults, parents, and carers who want practical answers, not jargon.
ADHD Assessment in the UK: Why It’s Such a Mess Right Now
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that usually starts in childhood and often continues into adulthood. It affects attention, organisation, impulse control and emotional regulation, and can seriously impact work, education, relationships and mental health if untreated.
NICE guideline NG87 sets the official UK standard: ADHD should be diagnosed by a specialist (usually a psychiatrist, paediatrician or specialist nurse) after a full assessment that looks at childhood history, current symptoms, impairment across different areas of life, and other possible conditions.
In reality, demand for diagnosis has grown far faster than NHS capacity. NHS data in 2025 suggested that up to hundreds of thousands of people in England were waiting for an ADHD assessment. Recent reports highlight long waits, fragmented services and increasing pressure as more people seek support.
That’s why so many people now look at private ADHD assessments – either self-funded, via health insurance or through the NHS “Right to Choose” route in England.
The Three Main Routes: NHS, Right to Choose & Fully Private
1. Standard NHS ADHD Assessment
The traditional route is:
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You speak to your GP about symptoms and how they affect your life.
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If they agree assessment is appropriate, they refer you to local NHS ADHD or neurodevelopmental services.
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You join a waiting list, which can range from months to multiple years depending on region.
When you’re finally seen, the assessment should follow NICE NG87, meaning a structured clinical interview, developmental history, rating scales, and screening for other conditions.
The upside:
It’s free at the point of use, integrated with NHS systems, and medication and follow-up are usually handled within NHS services or via shared care with your GP.
The downside:
Waiting times can be extreme. Many people lose jobs, struggle at university, or hit mental health crises while waiting.
If you want a broader overview of UK mental health access (beyond just ADHD), you might find this useful:
How to Access Mental Health Services in the UK: NHS vs Private Explained (https://allhealthandcare.co.uk/resources/how-to-access-mental-health-services-in-uk)
2. NHS-Funded “Right to Choose” (England Only)
If you live in England and are registered with a GP there, you may be able to use the NHS Right to Choose rules to have your ADHD assessment done by an independent provider, but funded by the NHS.
In practice this often looks like:
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You ask your GP for a referral to a specific ADHD provider that has an NHS contract under Right to Choose.
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If clinically appropriate, your GP can refer you to that provider instead of your local NHS service.
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Your assessment and often initial titration of medication are funded by the NHS, even though the provider isn’t your local trust.
Charities like ADHD UK have step-by-step guides to using Right to Choose for ADHD assessments (Right to Choose – ADHD UK: https://adhduk.co.uk/right-to-choose/).
The upside:
You don’t pay the assessment bill yourself, and waits are sometimes shorter than local NHS services.
The downside:
This route has become politically controversial. Recent reporting shows some Right to Choose providers delivering assessments that NHS teams later judge as not fully compliant with NICE standards, leading to disputes about ongoing care and prescribing. Some areas are tightening which providers they work with and how shared care is handled.
3. Fully Private ADHD Assessment (Self-Funded or Insurance)
In a fully private route, you:
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Choose a private clinic or psychiatrist yourself.
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Pay for the assessment, usually directly or via insurance.
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May also pay for medication initiation and follow-up privately.
This is where people often ask: “Can I claim this back from the NHS later?” We’ll come to that when we talk about “rebates” and shared care.
What a Good ADHD Assessment Should Include (Whatever the Route)
Regardless of NHS, Right to Choose or fully private, a proper ADHD assessment in the UK should:
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Follow NICE NG87 diagnostic criteria.
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Be carried out by a suitably qualified professional (psychiatrist, specialist nurse, psychologist or paediatrician with ADHD expertise).
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Cover your history from childhood to now, including school/education, work, relationships and mental health.
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Look for symptoms across settings, not just at home or at work.
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Use rating scales as part of the evidence, not the only evidence.
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Screen for other conditions like anxiety, depression, autism, bipolar disorder, trauma or substance misuse, which commonly overlap.
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Provide a clear written report explaining the diagnosis (or why ADHD was ruled out) and giving a treatment plan.
Some private clinics explicitly state they follow NICE NG87 in full, and that’s a good sign to look for.
If a provider offers a “diagnosis” based on short online questionnaires and a brief video call with no developmental history, it’s unlikely to meet UK standards – and more likely to be questioned by NHS teams later.
How Much Does a Private ADHD Assessment Cost in the UK?
Prices vary by provider, region and what’s included, but as a rough picture for adults:
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A standalone assessment might be in the region of £500 to £1,200.
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An assessment plus titration and a few months of follow-up can quickly take the total to £800–£1,800 or more.
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Each follow-up appointment can easily cost £100–£250.
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Private prescriptions and medication costs sit on top of this if your GP will not prescribe on the NHS.
For children and young people, assessments are often at least as expensive, sometimes more, due to the need to involve schools and multiple informants.
These are not official tariffs, just realistic 2026 ballpark figures based on UK ADHD clinics and patient reports. The key point is not just the assessment price – it’s the cumulative cost of assessment, titration, medication, reviews, and accompanying letters or reports.
Will the NHS Accept a Private ADHD Diagnosis?
This is the question everyone asks, and there is no simple “yes” or “no”.
In principle:
If a private assessment follows NICE guidelines, is carried out by an appropriately qualified specialist and provides a thorough report, many GPs and NHS mental health services are willing to accept the diagnosis and consider shared-care prescribing.
In reality, 2025–2026 has seen a lot of tension:
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Some private or Right to Choose clinics have been criticised for brief or inconsistent assessments.
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NHS services are under extreme pressure, over budget on ADHD, and more cautious about taking responsibility for medication started elsewhere.
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Some Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) have issued guidance restricting shared care agreements where they don’t trust the provider’s processes.
So what typically happens?
If you bring a private report to your GP, they may:
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Accept the diagnosis, enter a shared care agreement and prescribe ADHD medication on the NHS once you’re stabilised.
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Accept the diagnosis but decline to prescribe, asking you to remain under private care until local policies are clearer.
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Ask local NHS ADHD services to review or reassess you.
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Decline to act on the report if they have serious concerns about its quality or the provider’s reputation.
That means before you spend money, it’s wise to have an honest conversation with your GP:
“If I have a full ADHD assessment with a provider that follows NICE NG87 and sends you a detailed report, would you consider shared care for prescribing once I’m stabilised?”
You may not get a guarantee, but you’ll understand their general position.
Are There “NHS Rebates” for Private ADHD Assessments?
Short answer: for most people, no.
The NHS doesn’t run a standard programme where you:
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Pay privately for an ADHD assessment, and then
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Claim that money back later
Instead, there are other forms of NHS involvement:
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NHS funding from the start (e.g. Right to Choose in England) – where your assessment is NHS-funded from day one, even though it’s with an independent provider.
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NHS taking over prescribing after a private diagnosis – you still pay for your assessment, but ongoing medication costs may shift to the NHS if your GP agrees to shared care.
Some people call this “rebate” informally because it reduces long-term cost, but it isn’t a refund of your original outlay.
There may occasionally be exceptional local schemes or individual funding requests, but these are rare and not something you can rely on.
So if you’re paying privately, assume you won’t get that assessment fee back. Any NHS involvement later is a bonus.
Real Examples: How People Are Navigating This in 2026
Example 1: Adult in England on a 3–4 Year NHS Waiting List
Alex, 32, is referred by their GP to local NHS ADHD services. The letter mentions a waiting time of “several years”. Alex is struggling at work and considering quitting.
Alex sits down with their GP and asks about Right to Choose. Together, they identify an independent provider with an NHS contract. The GP agrees that a Right to Choose referral is appropriate. Alex waits several months instead of several years and doesn’t pay directly for the assessment. Medication and follow-up are initially handled by the provider and later transferred to the GP’s shared care, because the clinic follows NICE standards and sends clear documentation.
Example 2: Self-Funded Private Assessment and Shared Care Tension
Sam, 40, pays around £1,000 for a private assessment and titration package. The assessment is helpful and thorough, but Sam’s GP practice has a policy not to take over prescribing from entirely private providers.
Sam faces a difficult choice:
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Paying for long-term private prescriptions (over £120+ a month), or
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Joining the local NHS waiting list anyway and potentially being reassessed
Sam’s situation is increasingly common, and recent reports suggest that returning patients like Sam are putting even more pressure on NHS services.
This example shows why provider choice and GP communication matter before you commit money.
Example 3: Parent of a Child in Scotland
In Scotland, there is no England-style Right to Choose mechanism. Hannah’s 10-year-old daughter has long-standing attention and hyperactivity difficulties. The GP refers her to CAMHS, but waiting times are substantial.
A private assessment is an option, but local NHS clinicians advise that they may still need to see her themselves before agreeing on medication or ongoing support. The family chooses to wait within the NHS, while asking the school for reasonable classroom adjustments and seeking parenting support.
How to Choose a Private ADHD Provider Safely
If you decide to go private, protecting yourself is crucial. Some things to look for:
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Do they explicitly state they follow NICE NG87 and UK prescribing guidance?
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Are assessments done by psychiatrists, specialist nurses or psychologists with ADHD expertise – and are they regulated (GMC, NMC, HCPC)?
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How long is the assessment? A meaningful assessment usually takes at least an hour or more, often over multiple contacts.
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Do they collect collateral information (school reports, family questionnaires, partner/friend input) where possible?
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Do they provide a full written report, not just a “yes/no” letter?
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What is their plan for medication: Who prescribes, who monitors, what happens in a crisis?
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How do they handle shared care with GPs – do they have established protocols?
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What are the ongoing costs after diagnosis (reviews, letters, forms)?
ADHD advocacy groups like ADHD UK share practical advice on diagnosis pathways and pitfalls:
UK ADHD Diagnosis Pathways – ADHD UK (https://adhduk.co.uk/diagnosis-pathways/)
Private vs NHS ADHD Pathways in the Bigger Picture
If you step back, the choice isn’t just “NHS vs private”. It’s a mix of:
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Speed vs cost
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Quality vs regulation
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Short-term relief vs long-term sustainability
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Continuity within the NHS vs flexibility with external providers
Our broader comparison of NHS vs private healthcare is helpful background if you’re weighing up private clinics in general:
NHS vs Private Healthcare in the UK: Costs, Waiting Times & When Going Private Makes Sense (https://allhealthandcare.co.uk/resources/nhs-vs-private-healthcare-in-the-uk)
Step-by-Step If You’re Considering a Private ADHD Assessment
Without turning this into a rigid checklist, most people find it helpful to think in this order:
First, talk to your GP
Explain your symptoms, how they affect work, study, relationships and daily life. Ask about local ADHD waiting times and whether they’d consider shared care if you obtain a high-quality private diagnosis.
Second, explore NHS options
Ask about your local service, and in England specifically, ask whether a Right to Choose referral might be appropriate.
Third, if going private, research carefully
Look for NICE-compliant, well-reviewed clinics with clear information about assessment length, who does the assessment, and follow-up plans.
Fourth, budget for at least a year
Include assessment, titration, follow-ups and medication in your calculations. Many people underestimate long-term costs.
Fifth, keep mental health support going in parallel
Whether through your GP, talking therapies, or counselling, don’t wait for an ADHD label before addressing anxiety, low mood or burnout. For general therapy options, see:
Online Therapy & Counselling in the UK: Costs, Providers & What to Expect (https://allhealthandcare.co.uk/resources/online-therapy-counselling-in-uk)
Final Thoughts
ADHD assessment in the UK is in a state of flux. Demand is rising, NHS services are under pressure, private providers are booming, and policy is struggling to keep up. It’s not fair that so many people have to navigate this alone – but understanding the routes, costs and pitfalls does give you more control.
A private ADHD assessment can be life-changing when done properly and integrated well with your GP and local services. It can also be expensive, fragmented and frustrating if you don’t think ahead about shared care and long-term plans.
The key is informed choice: know your NHS options, use Right to Choose where appropriate, choose private providers carefully, and think beyond the first diagnosis appointment to what your life will look like in the years after.
If you feel overwhelmed, that’s normal. Take it one step at a time – starting with a good conversation with your GP and a realistic look at your options.
