How to Get a Private ADHD Diagnosis as an Adult in London

NHS waiting lists for adult ADHD assessments in London can stretch to several years. Going private is faster, but the process has more steps than most people expect — and there are real pitfalls if you choose the wrong clinic. Here’s what actually happens.

What Happens at an Adult ADHD Assessment

Before you even sit down with a clinician, most private clinics will ask you to complete screening questionnaires — typically the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) or the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS). You’ll also fill in a background form covering your current symptoms, childhood history, mental health, and any medications you take. If you have old school reports or previous mental health letters, dig them out — many clinics ask for these.

Some services then do a short triage call to confirm ADHD is likely and that their service is appropriate for you. This is also when they’ll explain fees and whether they offer shared care with your GP.

The core of the assessment is a structured clinical interview, typically 45–90 minutes with a psychiatrist, specialist nurse, or psychologist. They’ll take a detailed developmental history — childhood behaviour, schooling, family history — alongside your current functioning at work and home. They’ll also screen for conditions that can look like ADHD or sit alongside it: anxiety, depression, autism, bipolar disorder, sleep disorders, and others. A family member or partner may be asked to contribute collateral history, since symptoms need to have been present since childhood for a diagnosis to be made.

Clinicians use DSM-5 criteria and standardised rating scales to reach a diagnostic decision. If you’re being assessed for medication too, a physical health check is recommended — blood pressure, heart rate, weight, and a review of cardiac history. Some clinics require an ECG if there’s any relevant personal or family history.

After the assessment, you’ll get a written report summarising the findings, the diagnosis (or why criteria weren’t met), and treatment recommendations. If ADHD medication is appropriate and you want it, a separate medication assessment follows, then a titration period — usually at least three months of follow-up appointments to find the right dose.

How to Get a Private Assessment in London

Most private ADHD clinics in London allow self-referral. You don’t need a GP letter to book. But talking to your GP beforehand is still worth doing, particularly if you want them to prescribe your medication later under a shared care agreement — more on that below.

When choosing a clinic, the most important question is whether they meet NHS-recognised standards. Specifically, look for:

• A GMC-registered consultant psychiatrist or appropriately qualified specialist doing the assessment
• The clinic being registered with the CQC (Care Quality Commission)
• Assessment that follows NICE guidelines and uses validated diagnostic tools

Why does this matter? Because some GP practices and ICBs will only accept diagnoses from clinicians on the GMC specialist register, working in CQC-registered settings, with evidence that pre-treatment checks were done. If the clinic you choose doesn’t meet these standards, your GP may refuse to recognise the diagnosis entirely.

Ask the clinic directly: Can they prescribe medication? Will they support a shared care agreement with your GP, and how often does that actually succeed in practice? Will the report be acceptable to an NHS GP or employer? Get clear answers before you pay.

Will Your GP Prescribe After a Private Diagnosis?

This is where things get complicated — and where a lot of people get an expensive surprise.

ADHD medication in England is classed as a specialist-initiated treatment. GPs are generally expected to prescribe only under a formal shared care agreement, and that agreement has conditions. Typically, your GP will only take over prescribing if: the diagnosing psychiatrist is on the GMC specialist register, the clinic is CQC-registered, pre-treatment checks were carried out, you’ve been stable on medication for at least three months, and a shared care protocol is in place that meets NICE guidelines.

Even then, it’s not guaranteed. Some GP practices have a blanket policy of not entering shared care with any private ADHD provider. Others will engage case by case. And from April 2025, some areas — like NHS Kent and Medway — now require all adult ADHD referrals to go through approved Right to Choose providers before GPs will take over prescribing.

Right to Choose (RTC) is worth knowing about. It’s technically NHS-funded assessment delivered by independent providers, and it tends to create a cleaner pathway for GP prescribing afterwards. The downside is waiting times are longer than going fully private, though still generally shorter than standard NHS referral.

If your GP won’t enter shared care, you’ll continue paying privately for your medication and follow-up — which adds up quickly. Find out your GP’s position before you book an assessment, not after.

How Find Health London Can Help

Find Health London is a CQC-registered private healthcare directory covering London. You can use it to find ADHD assessment clinics that meet NHS-recognised standards — saving you the legwork of checking each one individually.

Browse our ADHD services listings to find a clinic that’s right for you.

Sources: ADHD UK; Jenny Arthern Psychology (2023, 2025); Flint Healthcare; UniMed; Surrey Lodge Medical Practice; GSJ Medical Practice; Ready Health; Neuropsychology Dorset.