Both routes lead to the same destination - a proper ADHD assessment. The difference is cost, speed, and how you get there.
Quick answer: Right to Choose is NHS-funded and free. Private assessment costs £500 to £3,000. Both use qualified specialists. RTC typically takes 8 to 20 weeks. Private can be 1 to 4 weeks. For most people, Right to Choose is the better option unless speed is critical.
Right to Choose and private ADHD assessment both lead to the same outcome: a clinical assessment by a qualified specialist who can diagnose ADHD. The key differences are in how you access the service, what it costs, and how long you wait.
Free
£500 - £3,000+
With Right to Choose, your GP sends a referral to an NHS-funded provider of your choice. The assessment is paid for by the NHS. With a private assessment, you contact a private clinic directly, pay their fee, and are seen on their schedule. The clinical process is similar, but the funding route and follow-up care differ significantly.
Private ADHD assessment costs vary depending on the clinic, the level of detail in the assessment, and whether follow-up care is included. Here is a typical breakdown.
£100 to £300. Some clinics offer a shorter screening before committing to a full assessment. This is not a diagnosis but helps determine whether a full assessment is worthwhile.
£500 to £1,500. This is the main assessment, usually lasting 1 to 3 hours. It includes a clinical interview, symptom history, and often standardised questionnaires. Some clinics include a written report in this price. Others charge separately.
£1,000 to £2,500. Includes a detailed written report suitable for workplace adjustments, educational support, or insurance claims. Often includes a follow-up appointment.
£150 to £400 per appointment. If your GP does not agree to shared care, you may need to pay for ongoing private prescribing. This adds up quickly - potentially £1,000+ per year on top of the assessment cost.
By comparison, Right to Choose costs you nothing. The assessment, report, and initial medication (if prescribed) are all covered by the NHS.
Yes. Both Right to Choose and private assessments are carried out by qualified professionals, typically psychiatrists or specialist nurse prescribers with ADHD training.
Right to Choose providers must meet NHS clinical standards to receive NHS funding. Private clinics set their own standards, but reputable ones follow the same NICE guidelines (NG87) that govern NHS assessments.
The assessment process is similar in both routes. It usually includes a detailed clinical interview covering childhood and adult symptoms, the impact on daily life, information from someone who knew you as a child (where possible), and standardised screening tools such as the DIVA or ASRS.
One advantage of Right to Choose is that the diagnosis automatically sits within your NHS records. A private diagnosis may need to be separately communicated to your GP, and some GPs are more willing to accept NHS-pathway diagnoses than private ones.
The biggest difference after diagnosis is medication access. With Right to Choose, the pathway to NHS-funded medication is clearer. The provider sets up a shared care agreement, and your GP continues prescribing. With a private diagnosis, some GPs refuse to enter shared care arrangements, leaving you paying privately for ongoing medication management.
Yes, but it is not always straightforward. Here is what typically happens.
If you get a private diagnosis and your GP accepts it, they may agree to prescribe medication under shared care. In this case, you have effectively "switched" to NHS management after the initial private cost.
However, some GPs and some local areas do not accept private ADHD diagnoses. In these cases, you may be asked to join the local NHS waiting list for a second opinion, or you may need to continue paying privately.
You can also start a Right to Choose referral while pursuing a private assessment. This way, if the private route works out, you are covered. If not, you still have the NHS referral progressing. There is no rule against having both in progress at the same time.
Starting with Right to Choose gives you a cleaner path to ongoing NHS care. Starting private can be faster but may create complications if your GP does not accept the diagnosis or refuses shared care.
The right choice depends on your situation. Here is a simple way to think about it.
It is free. The assessment and initial medication are NHS-funded. You pay nothing out of pocket.
Private assessment can happen within 1 to 4 weeks. If waiting 8 to 20 weeks is not an option, private is faster.
The diagnosis sits in your NHS file automatically. Medication is prescribed through your GP. No acceptance issues.
For most people, Right to Choose is the better option. It costs nothing, produces an NHS-recognised diagnosis, and creates a clear path to medication and ongoing support. The only real advantage of private assessment is speed, and even then, the cost can be significant.
| Feature | Right to Choose | Private | NHS Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost to patient | Free | £500 - £3,000+ | Free |
| Typical wait | 8 - 20 weeks | 1 - 4 weeks | 1 - 5+ years |
| Provider choice | You choose from approved providers | You choose any private clinic | Assigned by local NHS |
| Medication access | Via shared care with GP | Private prescribing or GP (if accepted) | Via NHS pathway |
| Ongoing care | NHS-funded via GP | Private (or GP if shared care agreed) | NHS-funded via GP |
| Legal basis | NHS Act 2006, Section 75 | No legal right to NHS acceptance | NHS Constitution |
| Assessment quality | NICE-compliant, qualified specialists | Varies by clinic (reputable ones follow NICE) | NICE-compliant, qualified specialists |
| NHS records | Automatic | Only if GP accepts and records it | Automatic |
| GP referral needed | Yes | Usually no | Yes |
Yes. Right to Choose is NHS-funded. You do not pay for the assessment or the initial consultation. The cost is covered by the NHS in the same way as any other NHS referral.
It depends on your GP and local area. Some GPs accept private diagnoses and will prescribe medication under shared care. Others may require a second NHS opinion before prescribing. There is no national policy guaranteeing acceptance.
Yes. Having a private assessment does not remove your right to an NHS-funded assessment through Right to Choose. You can still request a referral from your GP.
Right to Choose typically takes 8 to 20 weeks from referral to assessment. Private assessment can be as fast as 1 to 4 weeks, depending on the provider and your willingness to pay.
Yes. Most Right to Choose providers can initiate medication if you are diagnosed. They then set up a shared care agreement with your GP for ongoing prescriptions.
If speed is critical, private assessment is faster but more expensive. Some people choose to start a Right to Choose referral and pursue a private assessment in parallel, then decide which route progresses first.
My ADHD Path helps you navigate the entire ADHD journey, whether you choose Right to Choose, private, or both. Compare providers, understand your options, and get clear next steps.