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If you are an adult in the United Kingdom looking for a private ADHD assessment that is fully approved for use within the NHS, you are in the right place. At Private Psychiatry, our consultant psychiatrists carry out detailed, evidence-based ADHD assessments that strictly follow the official guidelines of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
This ensures that your diagnosis will be recognised by the NHS and can be accepted by your GP for shared-care prescribing arrangements. We provide all documentation in the correct format for NHS use and support your transfer to the NHS via Shared Care Agreement.
For many adults with suspected ADHD, the biggest barrier to care is the long NHS waiting list. In some areas of the UK, patients are waiting more than two years for an initial ADHD assessment. With Private Psychiatry, you can be seen within a matter of weeks, giving you the clarity, diagnosis, and treatment plan you need without unnecessary delay.
| Feature | Private ADHD Assessment (NHS Approved) | NHS ADHD Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Waiting time | Usually within 1– 4 weeks | Often 12–24 months or longer |
| Assessor | GMC-registered consultant psychiatrist with ADHD expertise | NHS psychiatrist or specialist nurse |
| Standards followed | NICE guideline compliant | NICE guideline compliant |
| Recognition by NHS | Yes, when carried out by a GMC-registered consultant psychiatrist | Yes |
| Shared-care prescribing | Yes (but still depending on the GP) | Yes |
| Flexibility | Choice of online or in-person appointments | In-person or limited online availability |
| Cost | Paid service, transparent pricing | Free at point of use |
| Coverage | Nationwide for adults | Area-dependent |
Both options follow the same clinical standards, but the private ADHD assessment NHS approved pathway offers faster access and greater flexibility.
When a private ADHD assessment is described as NHS approved, it means that the assessment process meets exactly the same national clinical standards as those used in NHS clinics.
The key features of an NHS-approved private ADHD assessment are:
While NHS ADHD services are free, they are currently under very high demand. This often means long delays, which can have a real impact on education, employment, relationships, and mental wellbeing.
A private ADHD assessment offers important advantages:
At Private Psychiatry, our assessment process is thorough, patient-focused, and designed to meet NHS-recognised standards.
Before your appointment, we will send you detailed questionnaires about your symptoms, personal history, and medical background. This helps your psychiatrist prepare for the consultation.
You will meet with a consultant psychiatrist for 60 minutes, either online or in person. This structured interview will explore your current symptoms, your childhood experiences, and how your difficulties affect your daily life.
We use the DIVA-5 (Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults), an internationally recognised structured assessment based on the DSM-5 criteria for ADHD. This ensures that the diagnosis is based on robust, standardised evidence.
ADHD symptoms can sometimes overlap with other conditions such as anxiety, depression, or sleep disorders. We carefully assess for other possible causes so that you receive the correct diagnosis.
After your assessment, we provide a comprehensive report. This includes the diagnosis and our treatment recommendations.
Yes – provided they are carried out by a qualified GMC-registered psychiatrist following NICE guidelines. At Private Psychiatry:
A private ADHD assessment is an investment in your health and future. While NHS services are free, many people choose private care because it provides rapid access to diagnosis and treatment.
At Private Psychiatry, our fees reflect the consultant-level expertise, the thorough nature of the assessment, and the speed at which you can be seen. The cost includes:
You can view our current ADHD assessment fees on our Consultant Psychiatrist fees page.
We offer both in-person and online ADHD assessments for adults. Online appointments are ideal for patients anywhere in the UK who prefer to be assessed from home. In-person appointments are available for those who would like a face-to-face consultation.
Both formats follow the same clinical process, meet NHS standards, and result in a fully recognised diagnosis.
If you receive an ADHD diagnosis, your psychiatrist will discuss the full range of treatment options with you. These may include:
If you wish to receive medication through the NHS after your private diagnosis, we will provide all the necessary documentation to your GP so they can consider a shared-care arrangement.
Yes. If the assessment is carried out by a GMC-registered consultant psychiatrist following NICE guidelines, it can be recognised by the NHS. At Private Psychiatry, all our ADHD assessments meet these standards. While the SCA is accepted in the majority of our cases, acceptance remains at the sole discretion of your GP.
Most GPs accept private ADHD assessments if they are NHS-approved and follow NICE guidelines. However, shared-care prescribing is at the discretion of the GP and the local NHS policy. If your GP does not accept the diagnosis for shared care, you can continue your treatment privately with Private Psychiatry, or we can guide you on discussing this with your GP and exploring NHS referral options.
The cost varies depending on the clinic and the level of expertise offered. At Private Psychiatry, the price includes pre-assessment questionnaires, a 60-minute consultation with a consultant psychiatrist, use of the DIVA-5 diagnostic tool, and a detailed written report. You can see our latest fees on our Consultant Psychiatrist fees page.
The NHS and Private Psychiatry both use structured, evidence-based tools in line with NICE guidelines. One of the most widely used and NHS-approved tools for diagnosing adult ADHD is the DIVA-5 (Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults), which is based on the DSM-5 criteria.
Yes, as long as they are conducted by a qualified GMC-registered psychiatrist who follows NICE guidelines. At Private Psychiatry, all diagnoses are valid and can be accepted by the NHS.
