Private ADHD Assessment London: How to Get Diagnosed Without the NHS Wait
Last updated: March 2026
The Online GP by The Wellness
If you think you may have ADHD, The Online GP by The Wellness provides same-day GP assessments and same-day referral letters to private psychiatrists who can formally diagnose ADHD. GP assessment consultations start from £295 and include a validated ADHD screening, clinical history, and a detailed referral letter to a specialist. NHS waiting times for adult ADHD assessment currently range from two to seven years in most areas of England. A private GP referral bypasses this wait entirely. All clinical decisions, including whether a referral is appropriate, are at the sole discretion of the assessing doctor. All cases are accepted at the complete discretion of the clinic.
WhatsApp us for a same-day ADHD assessment | Call 020 3951 3428 | Email team@thewellnesslondon.com
Can a private GP diagnose ADHD?
No. A GP cannot diagnose ADHD. ADHD diagnosis in the UK requires assessment by a psychiatrist or other specialist with specific training in ADHD, typically using structured clinical interviews, validated rating scales, and a detailed developmental history. This applies whether you go through the NHS or privately.
What a GP can do, and what The Online GP provides, is the essential first step. The GP conducts an initial clinical assessment, administers validated screening tools (the ASRS-v1.1 or Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scales), takes a detailed history, rules out other conditions that mimic ADHD symptoms (thyroid disorders, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, iron deficiency), and writes a referral letter to a private psychiatrist who specialises in ADHD.
This is the same clinical pathway recommended by NICE guideline NG87 (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management). NICE states that a GP should carry out an initial assessment and refer to secondary care for formal diagnosis. The difference with private referral is speed. NHS ADHD assessment waits currently run two to seven years in most English CCG areas. A private psychiatrist can typically see you within one to four weeks of receiving the GP referral letter.
Why are NHS ADHD waiting lists so long?
The scale of the NHS ADHD backlog in 2026 is extraordinary. According to data compiled by ADHD UK, over 200,000 people are currently on waiting lists for ADHD assessment in England alone. Some areas report waits exceeding seven years. The average wait across England is approximately three years.
Several factors drive this. Adult ADHD was historically underdiagnosed in the UK, particularly in women, and awareness has surged in recent years. Referral rates have increased by over 400% in some areas since 2020 according to NHS Digital data. Meanwhile, specialist ADHD services remain severely underfunded, with many NHS trusts operating with only one or two clinicians for populations of hundreds of thousands.
The Right to Choose pathway, which theoretically allows NHS patients to request assessment from providers like Psychiatry-UK, has also become overwhelmed, with waits now extending to 12 to 18 months through that route as well.
For adults who suspect they have ADHD and need answers now, rather than in three to seven years, private assessment is often the only realistic option.
Think you might have ADHD? WhatsApp us to start the process today.
What happens during a GP ADHD assessment?
The GP assessment at The Online GP follows the pathway recommended by NICE NG87 and is designed to provide everything a private psychiatrist needs to proceed with a formal diagnostic assessment.
Clinical history. The doctor takes a detailed history of your symptoms, including when they started (ADHD symptoms must have been present before age 12 for a formal diagnosis under DSM-5 criteria), how they affect your daily life, work, relationships, and education. The doctor will also explore your developmental history where possible.
Validated screening. The doctor administers the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1), a six-item screening tool developed by the World Health Organization. A score above the threshold indicates a high probability of ADHD and supports the referral. The doctor may also use the Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scales or the DIVA-5 structured interview questions to gather further detail.
Differential diagnosis. Many conditions share symptoms with ADHD. Anxiety causes difficulty concentrating. Depression causes low motivation and executive dysfunction. Thyroid disorders cause fatigue and cognitive fog. Sleep disorders impair attention and working memory. The GP will assess for these and may recommend blood tests (thyroid function, ferritin, vitamin D, full blood count) to rule out organic causes. This is clinically important and protects you from an incorrect diagnosis.
Referral letter. If the GP considers a referral appropriate, a detailed referral letter is written addressed to a private psychiatrist. The letter includes the presenting symptoms, screening scores, relevant history, differential considerations, and any investigations performed. A well-written GP referral letter significantly improves the efficiency of the psychiatric assessment.
The GP assessment typically takes 20 to 30 minutes via video consultation. If the GP does not consider a referral appropriate based on the clinical findings, one will not be made, and you will be advised on alternative explanations and next steps.
How much does a private ADHD assessment cost?
The total cost of a private ADHD diagnosis involves two stages: the GP assessment and the specialist psychiatric assessment.
GP assessment and referral letter at The Online GP: from £295. This includes an extended video consultation (20 to 30 minutes), validated ADHD screening, clinical history, differential assessment, and a same-day detailed referral letter to a private psychiatrist. Blood tests to exclude other causes are available as an add-on from £195.
Private psychiatrist ADHD diagnostic assessment: typically £500 to £1,200. This is a separate appointment with a psychiatrist (not at The Online GP) and is usually a one to three hour structured assessment. The psychiatrist makes the formal diagnosis and, if appropriate, initiates medication. We can recommend experienced ADHD psychiatrists in London and provide referrals.
Follow-up and shared care. After diagnosis, many patients return to their GP for ongoing prescribing under a shared care arrangement. The Online GP can provide ADHD medication reviews and repeat prescriptions under shared care with the diagnosing psychiatrist, from £195 per review.
The clinic reserves complete discretion over whether a case is accepted and the final charge. Clinical complexity may affect the fee.
WhatsApp us for pricing and availability
What are the symptoms of ADHD in adults?
ADHD in adults often presents differently from childhood ADHD. According to NICE, the core symptoms are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, but in adults these frequently manifest as difficulty sustaining attention on tasks, particularly those that are routine or unstimulating, chronic procrastination and difficulty starting tasks, poor time management and frequently missing deadlines, difficulty organising tasks and managing multiple responsibilities, losing things frequently (keys, phone, documents), restlessness or a feeling of internal agitation rather than visible hyperactivity, talking excessively or interrupting others, making impulsive decisions (financial, relational, professional), difficulty following through on projects or commitments, emotional dysregulation including frustration, irritability, and mood swings, and underperformance at work or in education relative to ability.
ADHD UK estimates that approximately 2.6 million adults in the UK have ADHD, but fewer than 120,000 have a formal diagnosis. Many adults are diagnosed only after their child receives a diagnosis, or after years of being treated for anxiety or depression that did not fully respond to treatment.
ADHD is particularly underdiagnosed in women, who are more likely to present with inattentive rather than hyperactive-impulsive symptoms, and whose difficulties are more likely to be attributed to anxiety, depression, or personality traits.
Recognise these symptoms? WhatsApp us for a same-day GP assessment.
Can I get ADHD medication from a private GP?
A GP cannot initiate ADHD medication. Under NICE NG87, ADHD medication (including methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine, and atomoxetine) must be initiated by a specialist, typically a psychiatrist with ADHD experience.
However, once a specialist has made the diagnosis and stabilised the medication, the prescribing can be transferred to a GP under a shared care arrangement. This is standard practice in both NHS and private settings.
The Online GP can provide ongoing ADHD medication reviews and repeat prescriptions under a shared care agreement with your diagnosing psychiatrist. This means you do not need to return to the psychiatrist for every prescription, reducing both cost and inconvenience. ADHD medication review consultations start from £195.
All prescribing decisions are at the sole discretion of the doctor, in accordance with NICE guidelines and the shared care protocol agreed with the specialist.
The process
1. Contact us. WhatsApp, email team@thewellnesslondon.com, or call 020 3951 3428. Let us know you would like an ADHD assessment.
2. GP assessment. An extended video consultation (20 to 30 minutes) with a GMC-registered doctor. The doctor will conduct the clinical assessment, screening, and differential evaluation described above.
3. Referral letter. If the doctor considers a specialist referral appropriate, a detailed referral letter is emailed to you same-day as a PDF. The letter can be addressed to a specific private psychiatrist of your choice, or we can recommend experienced ADHD specialists in London.
4. Specialist assessment. You book directly with the private psychiatrist. Most can offer appointments within one to four weeks. The psychiatrist conducts the formal diagnostic assessment and, if ADHD is confirmed, discusses treatment options.
5. Ongoing care. After diagnosis and medication stabilisation, return to The Online GP for shared care prescribing and reviews from £195 per consultation.
Important information
A GP cannot diagnose ADHD. The GP assessment is a clinical screening and referral step. Formal diagnosis requires a specialist assessment by a psychiatrist.
A referral is not guaranteed. If the GP's clinical assessment does not support a referral for ADHD, one will not be made. The GP may identify an alternative explanation for symptoms and recommend a different pathway.
Acceptance of cases is at the complete discretion of the clinic. The Online GP reserves the right to decline any case.
Final charges are determined by the clinic. Clinical complexity may affect the fee. Patients are informed before the consultation proceeds.
All doctors are GMC-registered. The Online GP operates as part of The Wellness, a private medical clinic at 10 Portman Square, Marylebone, London.
This is not an emergency service. If you are in crisis, call 999. For urgent mental health support, contact the Samaritans on 116 123.
Frequently asked questions about private ADHD assessment
How long does it take to get an ADHD diagnosis privately? The GP assessment and referral letter can be done same-day. Most private psychiatrists can see you within one to four weeks. The total time from first contact to diagnosis is typically two to six weeks, compared to two to seven years through the NHS.
Is a private ADHD diagnosis recognised by the NHS? Yes, provided it is made by a qualified specialist following NICE guidelines. Most NHS GPs will accept a private diagnosis and enter into a shared care prescribing arrangement, though some may request a second opinion.
Can I claim the cost back through insurance? Some private medical insurance policies cover psychiatric assessment. Check with your insurer. The GP assessment and referral letter are usually not covered separately but may be covered as part of the diagnostic pathway.
Do you assess children for ADHD? The GP can conduct an initial assessment and referral for children and adolescents. Specialist ADHD assessment for under-18s is conducted by a child and adolescent psychiatrist (CAMHS equivalent).
The Online GP by The Wellness 10 Portman Square, Marylebone, London Phone: 020 3951 3428 WhatsApp to book | Book online: thewellness.co.uk
GP ADHD assessment and referral letter from £295. ADHD medication reviews under shared care from £195. All clinical decisions at the sole discretion of the assessing doctor. A GP cannot diagnose ADHD. Referral is not guaranteed. All cases accepted at the discretion of the clinic. Final charges determined by clinical complexity.
