If you think you have ADHD, the next question is often how to get assessed. In the UK, the main options are a standard NHS referral, Right to Choose (England only), or paying privately.
There’s no single right answer. The best route depends on where you live, how urgently you need help, what you can afford, and how you’d like your ongoing care to work.
Route 1: NHS referral via GP
How it works
The NHS says that if ADHD symptoms are affecting your studies, work or relationships, you should make an appointment with a GP. The GP will ask about your symptoms and how they affect your life, and may refer you to a mental health professional who specialises in ADHD.
Waiting times
This is the biggest drawback. The NHS says waiting times vary and you may have to wait several months or years. The independent ADHD Taskforce, set up by NHS England, reported waits of up to eight years or more for adults in some areas.
Advantages
- no cost for the assessment
- treatment, including titration, is usually provided by the NHS
- medicines are prescribed on the NHS, under the usual NHS prescription rules where you live
- a smoother path to your GP taking over prescribing
Limitations
- long and varied waits
- some areas have limited adult ADHD services
- you may have less choice over when and how you’re seen
Route 2: Right to Choose (England)
What it is
If a GP needs to refer you for a physical or mental health condition, the NHS says that in most cases you have the legal right to choose the hospital or service you go to. This includes some private organisations that provide services to the NHS. For ADHD, this is often called “Right to Choose”.
It means that instead of waiting for your local NHS ADHD service, you may be able to choose another provider that holds an NHS contract for adult ADHD assessment. It’s still NHS care, so you don’t pay for the assessment.
The conditions
The NHS Choice Framework explains that this choice applies when:
- you live in England
- you’re referred by your GP for your first appointment
- the service is led by a consultant or mental health professional
- the provider has an NHS contract for that service
- the referral is clinically appropriate
The Framework lists situations where you don’t have this choice, including if you’re already receiving care for the same condition and this is an onward referral, if you need urgent or crisis care, if you’re detained under the Mental Health Act, or if you’re a serving member of the armed forces.
How to use it
- Research providers that offer adult ADHD assessments under Right to Choose. ADHD UK has a Right to Choose guide with local information.
- Check the provider accepts referrals from your area and ask about current waits.
- Book a GP appointment and explain that you want a referral to that provider under your right to choose.
- Ask the GP to complete any referral forms the provider needs.
Things to know
- Local differences. ADHD UK says some local NHS bodies have introduced restrictions, so what’s available depends on where you live.
- Waits vary. Right to Choose waits are often shorter, but they aren’t always short.
- Medication and shared care. Ask how titration works and whether your GP will be asked to take over prescribing. GPs can still decline shared care.
- Things are changing. NHS England’s independent ADHD Taskforce published its final report in November 2025. In June 2026, a government-commissioned independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism published an interim report, and its final report is still to come. Check the latest position before you decide.
Route 3: Private assessment
How it works
You pay a private provider directly for an assessment. Many offer appointments by video. A GP referral may not be needed.
Advantages
- usually quicker than NHS waits, although this varies between providers
- more choice over timing, clinician and format
- can be a way to get clarity while on an NHS waiting list
Limitations
- you pay for the assessment, follow-ups and titration
- if you’re prescribed medication, you pay privately for prescriptions and the medicine until, or unless, your GP agrees to shared care
- your GP may decline shared care with a private provider (see shared care)
- some NHS services may not accept a private diagnosis. Healthwatch England has heard from people this happened to
What it can cost
Costs vary widely between providers. As an example, Happy Clinic charges £400 for a 60-minute ADHD assessment, £200 for each 20-minute titration review, and £500 for a 30-minute shared care appointment. Fees checked September 2026. See Happy Clinic’s pricing page for current fees, and the fees page on this site for more detail.
Side-by-side comparison
| NHS via GP | Right to Choose (England) | Private | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of assessment | Free | Free | You pay |
| GP referral needed | Yes | Yes | Often not |
| Waiting time | Can be months or years | Varies by provider and area | Usually shorter, varies by provider |
| Medication costs | NHS prescription rules | NHS prescription rules | Private prices unless shared care agreed |
| Shared care with GP | Usual NHS model | Depends on provider and GP | At GP’s discretion |
| Where available | UK-wide, varies locally | England only | UK-wide |
Questions to ask any provider
Whichever route you choose, it’s reasonable to ask these questions before you commit.
About the assessment
- Who will assess me, and what are their qualifications? Can I check their registration?
- Does the assessment follow NICE guidance?
- How long is the appointment, and is it in person or by video?
- Do you need an informant, school reports or questionnaires?
- Will I get a written report, and will it be sent to my GP?
About treatment
- If ADHD is diagnosed, do you offer medication and titration?
- How are physical checks like blood pressure and weight handled?
- How many titration appointments are usual, and what do they cost?
- Do you offer help or advice for other conditions, such as anxiety or depression?
About costs and ongoing care
- What is the total likely cost, including follow-ups and prescriptions?
- Are pharmacy costs extra?
- Do you request shared care with GPs, and what happens if my GP declines?
- Can I continue with you long term, and how are repeat prescriptions arranged?
About regulation
- Which regulator is the service registered with? You can usually check this, and read inspection reports, on the regulator’s website.
Can you combine routes?
Some people stay on an NHS waiting list while seeking a private assessment. If you do this, tell your GP and both services, so everyone has the full picture. Ask your local NHS service whether a private assessment would change your place on its list or what it offers you.