If you have reached the point of actively looking for an ADHD assessment, you have probably already found that the path is not obvious and the waits can be long. Knowing how to get an ADHD assessment, and which route actually fits your situation, can save you months of frustration. At Flint Healthcare, our CQC-registered consultant psychiatrists assess adults across Brighton and Hove and online, so we spend a lot of time helping people weigh up their options before they commit. This guide sets out the three main routes plainly, who each one suits, and the practical first steps to take.
What are your options for getting an ADHD assessment?
You have three realistic routes: a standard NHS referral, NHS Right to Choose, and a private assessment. All three can lead to a valid diagnosis when carried out by a suitably qualified clinician.
The differences come down to cost, waiting time, and eligibility. The standard NHS route is free but often involves the longest wait. Right to Choose is also NHS-funded but can be faster, though it now comes with new limits in some areas. A private assessment is usually the quickest to arrange but you pay for it. The sections below walk through each one so you can see which fits your circumstances.
How do you get an ADHD assessment on the NHS?
Start by booking a GP appointment, explain how your symptoms affect daily life, and ask to be referred to your local adult ADHD service. The GP makes the referral; you cannot usually self-refer on the standard NHS route.
It helps to go in prepared. Note down concrete examples of how inattention, restlessness or impulsivity affect your work, relationships and home life, ideally with examples from both childhood and adulthood. According to the NHS, your GP may also consider whether other conditions could be contributing, which is a normal part of getting you to the right service rather than a barrier.
The honest catch is the wait. Demand has risen sharply and standard NHS waits now run from one to several years in many regions. If you want the current picture before you decide, we keep a source-cited breakdown in our guide to ADHD assessment waiting times in the UK.
What is NHS Right to Choose, and how do you use it?
Right to Choose is a legal right, in England only, to choose which provider carries out your first outpatient appointment, including an ADHD assessment. The assessment is still funded by the NHS, so you do not pay.
In practice, this means asking your GP to refer you to an approved independent provider whose waiting list may be shorter than your local service. It does not apply everywhere in the UK; patients in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have different arrangements. There are also eligibility limits: Right to Choose generally does not apply if you are under urgent or emergency care, already receiving mental health care through your GP surgery, detained under the Mental Health Act, or serving in the armed forces.
One important 2026 development is worth knowing before you rely on this route. Facing very high demand, a number of Integrated Care Boards have set reduced activity plans that cap or pause new ADHD referrals, including some Right to Choose referrals, with some limits running into the 2026 to 2027 financial year. Whether Right to Choose is genuinely faster now depends heavily on your area, so it is worth checking current provider waiting times before you ask for the referral.
How to ask your GP for a Right to Choose referral
Be specific. Tell your GP you would like to use your NHS Right to Choose to be referred to a named, approved provider for an adult ADHD assessment. Bring the provider’s referral details with you, as this makes the request straightforward for the surgery to process. If your GP is unfamiliar with the scheme, it is reasonable to point out that it is part of the NHS Constitution for England.
How do you arrange a private ADHD assessment?
You can usually refer yourself directly to a private provider without waiting for a GP referral, which is why this route tends to be the quickest to arrange. You book, complete pre-assessment questionnaires, and attend the appointment, often within weeks.
The thing that matters most is that the assessment is done properly. A private diagnosis is recognised when it is carried out by a GMC-registered psychiatrist or an appropriately qualified specialist, uses a structured assessment, and results in a formal written report. That report is what other clinicians will rely on later, so it is worth confirming what is included before you book.
Before you book privately, it helps to have a short checklist ready. Confirm the assessing clinician is GMC-registered, ask whether the fee includes the written report and a follow-up appointment, and check whether the provider offers sessions in person or by video so you can choose what feels comfortable. Gathering a few concrete examples of how your symptoms show up day to day, along with any old school reports if you still have them, will also make the appointment itself more useful. A little preparation tends to mean a clearer, more confident outcome. Cost varies widely between providers, and there can be additional fees for follow-up appointments or letters, so it pays to compare carefully; our honest guide to private ADHD assessment costs breaks down what you should and should not be paying for.
If you would value the speed of a private route with the reassurance of a specialist-led service, you can see how our own private ADHD assessment works, in person or online.
How do you decide between the NHS and going private?
Weigh three things: how long you can wait, what you can afford, and how urgently your symptoms are affecting your life right now. There is no single correct answer.
If cost is the deciding factor and your situation is stable, the NHS or Right to Choose route may be right, provided you can accept the wait in your area. If the wait is causing real harm to your work, studies or wellbeing, and you can fund it, a private assessment can bring clarity far sooner. Many people use a blend: a private assessment for a timely diagnosis, then a conversation with their GP about longer-term NHS care. Be aware that moving care back to the NHS afterwards is not automatic, which the next section explains. It can also help to set yourself a rough deadline. If you have been waiting several months with no clear timeline and daily life is getting harder, that is often the signal to look seriously at a faster route.
What happens after your diagnosis?
After an assessment you receive a clear outcome and a written report, and, if ADHD is diagnosed, a discussion about the support and treatment options available to you. A diagnosis is the start of a plan, not the end of the process.
If you were assessed privately and later want your ongoing care managed by the NHS, this is usually arranged through a shared-care agreement between your specialist and your GP. Shared care is not guaranteed; whether it is offered depends on your GP practice’s own policy, so it is sensible to ask your surgery early what they are able to support. A good provider will talk you through this honestly rather than leaving you to find out later.
If you are struggling to cope at any point while you wait or after a diagnosis, you do not need to wait for any appointment to get help. Contact your GP, call NHS 111, or call the Samaritans free on 116 123.
Getting an ADHD assessment in Brighton and online with Flint Healthcare
Flint Healthcare is a CQC-registered private psychiatry service assessing adults Brighton and Hove, and online across the UK. Our assessments are led by consultant psychiatrists, use structured diagnostic tools, and conclude with the formal written report other clinicians will rely on.
Our co-founders set the clinic up to give people straight answers rather than an upsell, so if a different route genuinely suits you better, we will say so. Whether you are at the very start of wondering about ADHD or you have been on a waiting list for a long time, we are happy to help you understand your options first.
Common questions
Can you self-refer for an ADHD assessment?
Not on the standard NHS route, where your GP refers you. You can usually self-refer to a private provider, and Right to Choose still involves a GP referral to your chosen provider.
Does Right to Choose apply everywhere in the UK?
No. It is a right in England only, and in 2026 some areas have introduced caps or pauses, so check current provider waiting times before relying on it.
Is a private ADHD diagnosis valid?
Yes, when it is carried out by a GMC-registered psychiatrist or qualified specialist, uses a structured assessment, and produces a formal written report.
How do I get my GP to refer me under Right to Choose?
Ask directly to use your NHS Right to Choose for referral to a named approved provider, and bring the provider’s referral information to the appointment.
If you would like to talk your options through, you can book an initial appointment with our team in Brighton or online, through our contact and appointments page. We will help you find the right route, not just the fastest one.
