Private vs NHS ADHD Assessment: Which Should You Choose?

Quick Comparison

Here is a summary of the key differences between NHS, private, and Right to Choose ADHD assessment routes:

• NHS assessment: Free. Wait 1–7+ years. Diagnosis accepted automatically. Medication prescribed by NHS. No out-of-pocket costs.
• Private assessment: £350–£1,500. Available within days to weeks. Diagnosis must be CQC-registered to be accepted by GP. Medication requires shared care agreement or ongoing private prescriptions.
• Right to Choose: Free (NHS-funded). Wait 2–12 weeks. Uses an approved private provider. Diagnosis accepted. Shared care may still require negotiation with GP.

When NHS Assessment Makes Sense

An NHS assessment is the right choice if:

• You cannot afford any private costs, including titration and medication during the stabilisation period.
• Your area has a relatively short waiting time (under 12 months).
• You are already receiving NHS mental health support and prefer a joined-up care pathway.
• You have complex co-morbidities that benefit from multidisciplinary NHS team involvement.
• You are a child — NHS pathways often include educational psychology input that most private providers do not.

When Private Assessment Makes Sense

A private assessment is worth considering if:

• Your NHS waiting time exceeds 12 months and ADHD symptoms are significantly affecting your life, work, or relationships.
• You can budget for the full pathway (assessment + titration + first year of prescriptions) — typically £1,000–£2,000 total.
• You need a formal diagnosis quickly for workplace adjustments, university support, or DVLA requirements.
• Your GP is resistant to making an NHS referral and you do not want to fight the system.
• You want to choose your assessor rather than be assigned one.

Right to Choose: The Best of Both Worlds

The NHS Right to Choose is often the optimal route. You get assessed by a private provider — typically within weeks — at no cost, because the NHS funds the assessment. The main limitations:

• Your GP must agree to make the referral (most will, but some resist).
• Only works for your first outpatient assessment (not follow-ups or titration in most cases).
• Titration and ongoing medication may require a shared care agreement with your GP.
• Availability is limited to providers that hold an NHS Standard Contract in your ICB area.
• Some ICBs have restricted or complicated the RTC process — check our ICB pages for your area.

What Happens After Diagnosis: The Critical Difference

The assessment itself is only the first step. What matters most is what comes next — and this is where the difference between routes is most significant:

• NHS diagnosis → NHS titration → NHS prescribing. The simplest pathway. Everything stays in the NHS. Your GP has no reason to refuse.
• Private diagnosis → shared care request → GP may refuse. You need your specialist to write to your GP requesting a shared care agreement. Many GPs refuse, leaving you stuck paying privately.
• RTC diagnosis → shared care request → GP should accept but may resist. The NHS-funded assessment strengthens your case, but shared care is still not automatic.

Frequently Asked Questions