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Private and NHS Care

Is a private ADHD diagnosis accepted by the NHS?

A private diagnosis can be shared with NHS clinicians, but there is no single blanket rule guaranteeing every later NHS decision.

Written by Khalid Anwar · Last reviewed 20 August 2026

A private ADHD diagnosis is a clinical opinion reached outside an NHS-funded pathway. It is not automatically invalid because it was obtained privately. However, different decisions can follow from the same report: a GP may add it to the medical record, an NHS service may review it before providing treatment, and a GP may separately decide whether to enter a shared-care arrangement.

What matters in a private ADHD assessment?

NICE states that ADHD should be diagnosed by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional with training and expertise in ADHD, using a full clinical and psychosocial assessment, developmental and psychiatric history, observer information where appropriate, and consideration of the person's functioning. A questionnaire or screening score alone is not a diagnosis.

A useful report should clearly describe the evidence considered, diagnostic reasoning, relevant history, functional impairment, alternative or co-occurring explanations, the outcome and recommendations. NHS clinicians remain responsible for their own decisions and may ask for further information or assessment.

Sharing a private report with your GP

  • Ask the private provider to send the report and outcome letter to your GP with your consent.
  • Keep your own copy and check that identifying details are correct.
  • Ask whether the report has been added to your NHS record.
  • If you are seeking treatment, ask what local pathway and clinical review are required.

Adding a report to a record is different from agreeing to prescribe medication. ADHD medicines are normally initiated and titrated by a clinician with relevant expertise. A shared-care request may be considered after treatment is stable, but GP participation is voluntary and local policies vary.

If an NHS service wants another assessment

An NHS team may decide it needs to review the evidence, obtain missing information or complete its own assessment before taking responsibility for treatment. Ask what information is missing and whether the private clinician can supply it. The reason should be clinical and specific rather than an assumption that every private assessment is the same.

Our current private pathway

ADHD Assessment UK provides remote private assessments for adults aged 18–65 across the UK. Assessments usually last 90–120 minutes and are conducted by qualified clinical practitioners specialising in ADHD. A written report can be shared with your GP, but we do not promise that an NHS service or GP will accept every recommendation or shared-care request.

For a comparison of access routes, see private versus NHS ADHD assessment. For current packages, see pricing.

Sources
NICE NG87 recommendations
NHS: ADHD in adults

Related guidance
Private versus NHS ADHD assessment
How shared care works
Our assessment process
Assessment pricing

General information only; it does not replace individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.