Your options explained
The NHS route
To access an NHS ADHD assessment, your GP refers you to a local specialist service. Once referred, you join a waiting list. In many parts of England, those waiting lists are now very long.
If you’re diagnosed, the NHS can treat you by prescribing and managing ADHD medication. The level of follow-on support varies depending on where you live.
Across the UK, waiting times for an NHS ADHD assessment can be long and vary widely depending on where you live. Many adults wait 12 months to several years for an assessment, as rising referrals continue to outstrip specialist capacity and services face workforce and commissioning pressures.
In West Yorkshire, this challenge is particularly acute. Adult ADHD assessment is one of the most significant gaps in the current system, with over 4,500 people in Leeds alone facing waits of up to 10 years. For many, this isn’t just frustrating, it means years of uncertainty, missed opportunities, and worsening health without clear answers.
While the NHS works toward long- term solutions, these delays leave people with limited options, which is why Sort Brainhealth was created: to offer a fair, ethical alternative that helps people access clarity and support without stepping away from the values of inclusive, publicly rooted care.
The ‘private’ route
A private assessment and/or treatment approach follows the same clinical process as an NHS one, a structured interview with a qualified clinician, using recognised diagnostic criteria. Sort is a not‑for‑profit organisation, but because you pay for the assessment yourself, it is classed as a private diagnosis. In the future something called Right to Choose may change this but currently, if you want to use Sort you will have to pay yourself.
The main difference in this route is in the timing. Private assessments are typically available within weeks rather than years.
Sort was founded to make ADHD assessment as accessible and as quick to as many people as possible, without private profit.
You pay for the assessment yourself. It isn’t cheap, and we won’t pretend otherwise. But for people who can’t wait, it can make a real difference.
It’s also important to be aware that private assessment may not be suitable for everyone. If cost is a concern, or if you prefer a fully NHS funded pathway for diagnosis and follow-up care, waiting for an NHS assessment may be the better option.
Comparing NHS or private routes
| NHS assessment | Private assessment | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free at the point of access | Self-funded |
| Waiting time | Waiting times can be long | Typically available within weeks |
| Medication costs | NHS prescription price | Private prescription price |
| Medication and follow-on support | Medication and follow-on support available if diagnosed, depending on local provision | Medication and follow-on support available privately |
| GP recognition of diagnosis | Recognised by all GPs | Private diagnoses are accepted by many GPs, although this varies |
Not sure if you’re ready for an assessment?
Or got another question? Book a chat with one of our clinical team.
Will my GP accept a private diagnosis?
In many cases, yes – but it depends on your GP and your local NHS service. When this happens, it’s under something called ‘Shared Care’ arrangements, and NHS prescribing following a private diagnosis can vary and cannot be guaranteed.
Under a Shared Care arrangement, a specialist service like Sort is responsible for diagnosing ADHD and starting medication, including finding the right dose and ensuring it’s working safely. Once medication is stable, your GP may agree to take over ongoing prescribing and routine monitoring, sometimes with the specialist remaining involved for reviews, advice, or if changes are needed.
Shared Care is recommended in national clinical guidance, but it’s important to know that GPs are not legally required to enter into a Shared Care agreement. Each GP practice makes its own decision, based on local policy and whether they feel they have the right information and support.
We support Shared Care by providing clear clinical documentation, ongoing specialist oversight, and by being available to your GP if questions arise. If Shared Care isn’t agreed, medication can continue to be prescribed by our specialist team. In this situation, patients would need to fund their prescriptions privately and attend an annual review with us to ensure their treatment remains safe and effective.
Book your private ADHD assessment
We understand that taking the decision to complete an assessment is big. That’s why our friendly team offer a free call before you commit. You can ask any questions you have, learn more about the process, and check Sort’s service feels right for you.
