How long ADHD assessment waits are in the UK, how NHS Right to Choose works, and how to ask your GP for a referral.
Waits vary a lot by area and have grown in recent years — many families wait well over a year for an NHS assessment, and some considerably longer. Your GP or local NHS service can tell you the current wait where you live. While you wait, gathering a clear record of what you see at home and school means you can make the most of the appointment when it comes.
In England you usually have a legal right to choose which provider carries out your NHS assessment, including approved independent clinics — often with a shorter wait than your local service. It is NHS-funded, so there is no cost to you. Ask your GP to refer you to your chosen provider. You can search providers on our Find an assessment page.
Book an appointment and explain the difficulties you are seeing — at home and at school — and how long they have been going on. Bringing a written summary and examples helps. Ask specifically about a referral for an ADHD assessment, and about NHS Right to Choose if your local wait is long. Striova's GP appointment pack is designed to give you exactly this summary to hand over.
That is a personal decision. Right to Choose is free but can still involve a wait; a private assessment is usually faster but you pay for it. Check that any provider is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Whichever route you take, the same record of behaviour, sleep and observations is useful evidence.
Preparing for the appointment
What to take to an ADHD assessment, and what an observation record is for.
Food, sleep and everyday support
What NHS, NICE and FSA guidance actually says about food additives, sleep and supplements - and what it doesn't.
Information only. Striova is non-diagnostic — it does not diagnose, screen for, or rule out any condition. Speak to your GP about a referral.