ADHD Assessment Near Me: How to Find a Provider in the UK
If you've typed "ADHD assessment near me" into Google, you're probably not just browsing. You've likely spent months, maybe years, wondering if what you're feeling has a name, and you've finally decided to do something about it. That first search can feel overwhelming: dozens of clinic websites, confusing terminology, and no clear sense of who to actually trust. This guide is here to make that a bit easier.
Does "near me" even matter anymore?
Here's some good news: probably less than you think. A lot of CQC-registered ADHD clinics across the UK now carry out assessments entirely online, over video call, with a GMC-registered psychiatrist or HCPC-registered clinical psychologist. So instead of being limited to whoever happens to be down the road, you can often choose based on who has the shortest wait, or the price that actually works for you.
That said, some people just feel more comfortable being assessed in person, especially when it's for a child, and that's a completely valid preference. It's worth deciding early on which you'd rather have, so you're not comparing clinics that don't fit what you actually need.
Your three real options
1. Go through the NHS
This is the free route, and honestly, for a lot of people it's also the hardest one to stomach right now. Waiting lists for adult ADHD assessments through the NHS commonly stretch into multiple years, and it varies a lot depending on where you live. If you want to stay on this pathway, or you're just not sure yet, your GP is still the right first conversation to have.
2. NHS Right to Choose (RTC)
If you're in England, this is worth knowing about: NHS Right to Choose lets you ask your GP to refer you to a CQC-registered private provider, funded by the NHS, often with a much shorter wait than your local NHS list. It's not automatic, and not every provider accepts these referrals, so it's worth checking this before you get attached to a particular clinic. We've written a full walkthrough of how to actually ask your GP for this on our Right to Choose hub.
3. Go private
The fastest route, and the one where "near me" matters least, since a lot of private providers now assess online, anywhere in the UK. Costs vary quite a bit between providers, and can include the initial assessment, a follow-up feedback session, and sometimes ongoing costs like medication titration, so it's worth looking at the whole package rather than just the headline price.
How do you know a provider is actually legitimate?
This is the part that trips a lot of people up, and fairly enough, there's a lot of noise out there. A few simple things to check before you book anywhere, NHS Right to Choose or private:
- CQC registration – the Care Quality Commission inspects and regulates health providers in England. A current CQC rating is one of the easiest ways to know you're in safe hands.
- GMC or HCPC registration – whoever is assessing you should be a GMC-registered psychiatrist or an HCPC-registered clinical psychologist. It's a completely reasonable thing to ask about before you book.
- Willingness to do a Shared Care Agreement – if medication ends up being part of your treatment, check whether your GP will agree to a Shared Care Agreement with the provider afterwards. Without it, ongoing prescribing can get genuinely difficult.
Let us do some of the searching for you
We built this because we've been through the maze ourselves, hours spent comparing clinics, trying to work out who was trustworthy and who wasn't, and what any of it was actually going to cost. Our Clinic Finder asks five simple questions, who the assessment is for, age group, diagnosis needs, budget, and how long you're willing to wait, and matches you against CQC-registered clinics and specialists on our directory, including online-only providers.
[Start the Clinic Finder →](https://neuroregistry.co.uk/recommendation-wizard)
Questions people ask us a lot
Can I get an ADHD assessment near me for free?
Yes, through the NHS or via NHS Right to Choose if you're in England, both are funded routes. The trade-off is usually time rather than money.
How long is the NHS waiting list for an ADHD assessment?
It really does vary depending on where you live, but multi-year waits are common in a lot of the UK right now. Your GP or local ICB can tell you the current wait in your area.
Is an online ADHD assessment as valid as an in-person one?
Yes, as long as it's carried out by a properly registered psychiatrist or clinical psychologist at a CQC-registered provider. A lot of UK clinics now assess entirely online, and it's a completely recognised route.
What's the difference between NHS Right to Choose and going fully private?
NHS Right to Choose is NHS-funded but delivered by a private provider, so there's no cost to you if the referral is accepted. Going fully private means paying directly yourself, usually in exchange for a shorter or more flexible wait.
Neuro Registry is an independent UK directory of CQC-registered ADHD and Autism providers, built by someone who's been through this himself. We don't sell your data or charge for referrals.