Guide

Is a private ADHD diagnosis accepted by the NHS?

A diagnosis from a qualified UK clinician is a clinical assessment, and the standards for assessing ADHD are set out in NICE guideline NG87. In practice, the question that matters most is whether the NHS continues your care, such as prescribing, and that often depends on a shared care agreement between the private provider and your GP. Shared care is voluntary, so a GP can decline it. Ask both sides how this would work before you commit. This is information, not medical advice.

Information only, not medical advice and not a diagnosis. Diagnosis and treatment are always for a registered clinician. Speak to your GP about your own situation.

Diagnosis versus continuing care

It helps to separate two things. A private ADHD diagnosis is a clinical assessment by a qualified clinician. Whether the NHS then takes over ongoing care, in particular prescribing, is a separate decision that usually turns on a shared care agreement. So a private diagnosis is not rejected as such, but it does not by itself oblige the NHS to prescribe or monitor for you.

Why the quality of the assessment matters

The clinical standards for diagnosing and managing ADHD in the UK are set out in NICE guideline NG87. An assessment carried out by an appropriately qualified clinician, in line with recognised guidance, is more likely to be relied on for continuing care. Before going private it is worth checking who carries out the assessment, their qualifications, and whether the provider follows NG87. Our guide to finding a provider covers what to look for.

The shared care question

Ongoing NHS prescribing after a private diagnosis usually depends on a shared care agreement between the private provider and your GP. The British Medical Association describes shared care as voluntary, so a GP is not obliged to enter one. If shared care is declined, responsibility for prescribing stays with the private provider, which usually means continuing to pay private prescription and review fees. Read more on whether a GP can refuse shared care, and compare routes in our NHS vs private guide.

Sources: NICE guideline NG87, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management; British Medical Association, Principles for shared care prescribing. Last reviewed June 2026.

Frequently asked questions