Can a private ADHD diagnosis be recognised by the NHS?

This is one of the most important questions to ask before paying for a private ADHD assessment. The answer is a little more nuanced than a simple yes or no.

A private ADHD diagnosis can be a clinically valid diagnosis, provided the assessment has been undertaken by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional and follows recognised clinical guidance.

However, having a private diagnosis does not automatically guarantee that every NHS service or GP will take over prescribing or ongoing medication management.

What should a good ADHD assessment include?

NICE states that ADHD should be diagnosed by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional with training and expertise in ADHD. Diagnosis should be based on a comprehensive clinical and psychosocial assessment, developmental and psychiatric history and information about how symptoms affect the person in different areas of everyday life.

ADHD should not be diagnosed solely from a questionnaire or rating scale. For diagnosis, difficulties should also be evident across more than one important setting.

These are important things to consider when choosing a private ADHD assessment provider.

What happens if I want medication?

Diagnosis and medication are separate parts of the pathway. ADHD medication should be initiated by a healthcare professional with appropriate training and expertise in diagnosing and managing ADHD. Some people therefore choose to have their diagnostic assessment with one specialist service and then see a psychiatrist or other appropriately qualified prescriber to discuss whether medication is suitable.

Will my GP prescribe after a private diagnosis?

This is where arrangements can vary. A GP may sometimes prescribe ADHD medication under a shared-care arrangement after specialist initiation and stabilisation, but you should not assume this will happen automatically. Local NHS arrangements and individual GP practices can differ. If medication is something you may wish to consider, it is sensible to speak to your GP before beginning a private pathway and ask what they would require for future shared care.

Our ADHD pathway

At the Autism Assessment Centre, we provide comprehensive private ADHD assessments for children, young people and adults. For people diagnosed through our service who would like to explore medication, we also have a referral pathway to a CQC-registered private psychiatry service. They can review our diagnostic report without requiring the entire ADHD assessment to be repeated and discuss treatment and medication options where appropriate.

This is a separate private service and additional fees apply.

Our aim is to be transparent about this from the beginning so that families and adults understand both the diagnostic process and their options afterwards. If you are considering a private ADHD assessment in Kent and have questions about what happens following diagnosis, you are very welcome to talk these through with us before deciding whether to proceed.