How to get an ADHD diagnosis in the UK
Your options, what Right to Choose is, and what actually happens after you ask your GP. From someone who has been through it.
Check your local NHS area- 1Talk to your GPAsk for a referral and name your provider
- 2Referral sentThe provider adds you to their list
- 3Wait for assessmentOften a year or more in 2026
- 4Assessment and titrationFinding the right medication and dose
- 5Ongoing prescribingYour provider, or your GP via shared care
Four routes to a diagnosis, at a glance
There is no single right route. It depends on where you live, how long you can wait and what you can afford. The biggest thing to think about is not the diagnosis itself, but what happens with medication afterwards.
| Route | Cost to you | Typical wait | Medication afterwards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local NHS service | Free NHS prescription charges apply | Can be several years, depending on your area | NHS prescription. Usually the smoothest route to your GP prescribing |
| Right to Choose | Free NHS prescription charges apply | Often a year or more, and some areas are capping places | NHS prescription from your provider. Your GP may take over through shared care, but does not have to |
| Private | You pay For the assessment, reviews and medication | Usually the fastest | Your GP does not have to accept a private diagnosis or prescribe. You may need to keep paying privately, or be reassessed on the NHS |
| Diagnosed abroad | Varies | Already diagnosed | A UK GP is not obliged to accept it. Many people end up needing a UK assessment |
Your legal right to pick who assesses you on the NHS
If you are registered with a GP in England, you have a legal right to choose which NHS-approved provider does your ADHD assessment. If your local waiting list is long, your GP can refer you to another provider with an NHS contract, and the NHS pays.
Many of these providers work online, so where you live does not limit who you can choose.
A note if your GP hasn't heard of it
This is more common than you would think. When I asked in 2020, my GP had never heard of Right to Choose, and I had to explain it. You are not being difficult by raising it. ADHD UK has a ready-made letter you can take to your GP, which sets out the rules clearly.
Get the GP letter from ADHD UK →What you need to know
Tap each question to expand
The bits the official guidance won't tell you
I contacted Psychiatry-UK in December 2020, ready to pay for a private assessment. They were the ones who told me about Right to Choose. My GP had never heard of it, so I explained it and asked to be referred.
Waits are much longer now than they were for me. Plan for a year or more.
Many of my clients have had to tell their GP what Right to Choose is. Bring the name of your provider, their referral form if they have one, and the ADHD UK letter. Calm and prepared works best.
Before you pick a provider, ask your GP practice whether they usually accept shared care, and ask the provider whether they will keep prescribing if your GP says no.
A private diagnosis is faster, but your GP may not accept it or agree to prescribe. That can mean paying privately for medication and reviews for a long time, or being reassessed on the NHS. Ask your GP practice before you pay.
Clients diagnosed overseas have often found their UK GP would not accept it, and they needed a UK assessment. Bring every document you have, but expect that you may need to be assessed again.
How to use Right to Choose, step by step
Before you start, know this: Right to Choose is a brilliant right to have. It can also be slow, and you may need to push for it. Go in prepared and give yourself some patience. It's worth it.
Step 1 of 5
You need to be registered with a GP in England and not already under an ADHD service. You can take ADHD UK's free adult screener first if you'd like a starting point.
Adult ADHD screener →Compare NHS-approved providers on waiting times and check whether your area is capping them. Look at each provider's shared care position too.
Compare providers and waits →Tell your GP you want to use Right to Choose and name the provider. Most providers have a form for your GP to fill in. Take the ADHD UK letter in case your GP hasn't heard of it.
The provider checks the referral and adds you to their list. In 2026 this is often a year or more. See the section below for what you can do in the meantime.
If you're diagnosed and choose medication, your provider prescribes during titration. Once you're stable, you can ask your GP about shared care, or stay with your provider.
This page is based on Kim's lived experience, her work with clients, and the rules at the time of writing (October 2026). Right to Choose and local NHS policies change often, so always check the latest information with your GP and your local NHS area. This is not medical advice.