ADHD Assessments in the UK: What Recent Media Coverage Means for Patients

Short Summary

Recent media coverage has raised concerns about the quality of some ADHD assessments in the UK, particularly those provided through NHS “Right to Choose” pathways. While demand for assessment is high and NHS waiting lists are long, not all ADHD assessments follow the same clinical standards.

In the UK, high-quality ADHD assessment should follow NICE guidelines and be carried out by appropriately regulated professionals, such as HCPC-registered psychologists. A thorough assessment involves detailed developmental history-taking, careful clinical judgement, and a clear written report — not a quick screening.

A responsible ADHD assessment can provide clarity and evidence-based recommendations, but it cannot guarantee access to medication, replace ongoing NHS care, or resolve all difficulties in a single appointment. Being clear about these limits is part of ethical practice.

Choosing an ADHD assessment provider who is transparent, guideline-led, and clear about scope helps protect patients and ensures assessments are clinically meaningful and more likely to be recognised within wider care systems.

Long Read

ADHD Assessments in the UK: What Recent Media Coverage Means for Patients

Recent media coverage, including a Guardian article, has raised concerns about the quality of some ADHD assessments in the UK — particularly those provided through NHS “Right to Choose” pathways.

For adults and families seeking an ADHD diagnosis, this has understandably created confusion. This post explains what’s happening, why assessment quality matters, and how to recognise a high-quality ADHD assessment.

What’s going on with ADHD assessments in the UK?

Demand for ADHD assessments has increased sharply, while NHS services remain under significant pressure. As a result:

• NHS waiting lists are long

• More people are being referred to private providers

• Some NHS trusts are declining to accept certain private ADHD diagnoses

• Patients are sometimes told they need reassessment

The issue is not private care itself — it’s variation in assessment standards.

Why NICE and HCPC standards matter

In the UK, ADHD assessments should follow:

• NICE guidelines, which set evidence-based diagnostic standards

• HCPC professional standards, which regulate clinician competence and ethics

A proper ADHD assessment is a clinical evaluation, not a quick screening. It typically includes:

• A detailed developmental and childhood history

• Assessment of current symptoms across settings

• Consideration of other explanations (e.g. anxiety, trauma, autism)

• Clinical judgement by a regulated professional

• A clear written report and recommendations

When these elements are missing or rushed, the risk of misdiagnosis increases.

What a high-quality ADHD assessment looks like

A robust ADHD assessment should involve:

• An HCPC-registered psychologist or appropriately regulated clinician

• Enough time for comprehensive history-taking

• Use of validated tools alongside clinical judgement

• Clear explanation of diagnostic decisions

• A detailed written report aligned with NICE guidance

Very brief assessments or those with limited history-taking may not meet best-practice standards.

What an ADHD assessment can — and cannot — do

A responsible ADHD assessment provides clarity, but it also has clear limits.

An ADHD assessment can:

• Establish whether ADHD diagnostic criteria are met

• Explain how attention difficulties affect daily life

• Identify possible co-existing conditions

• Offer evidence-based recommendations

An ADHD assessment cannot:

• Replace ongoing NHS or multidisciplinary care

• Guarantee access to medication or specific treatments

• Resolve all difficulties in a single appointment

• Override local NHS service policies

Clear boundaries are a marker of ethical practice.

How my ADHD assessments are approached

My assessments are designed to meet NICE guidelines and HCPC standards, with an emphasis on:

• Careful diagnostic reasoning

• Transparency about scope and limitations

• Clear, clinically robust reports

• Recommendations that can meaningfully inform next steps

The aim is not just diagnosis, but understanding and clarity.

How to choose an ADHD assessment provider

Before booking, it’s reasonable to ask:

• Who will assess me, and are they HCPC or GMC registered

?

• How long is the assessment, and what does it involve?

• How is childhood history explored?

• Will I receive a detailed written report?

Ethical providers welcome these questions.

Final thoughts

Recent media coverage highlights real pressure within the ADHD diagnostic system — but high-quality ADHD assessment is still possible.

Choosing a provider who follows NICE guidance, works within HCPC standards, and is clear about both what assessment can and cannot do helps protect patients and build trust. View the Guardian article here https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jan/15/nhs-limiting-number-of-adhd-assessments-despite-soaring-demand