Private ADHD assessment in Scotland and the wider UK

Long NHS waiting times have left many adults across Scotland looking into a private ADHD assessment. If you are weighing up your options, this guide explains how the process works, what it costs, how long it takes and what happens after a diagnosis — so you can make an informed decision.

NHS or private? The reality in Scotland

Adult ADHD services in NHS Scotland are under significant pressure, and in many health board areas the wait for an assessment can stretch to several years. For people whose work, studies or relationships are being affected now, that wait can feel impossible.

A private assessment is far quicker, but you fund it yourself. Unlike England, Scotland does not operate a formal ‘Right to Choose’ pathway for ADHD, so the private route is usually self-funded. The trade-off is speed and continuity — you are seen within weeks, by the same clinician throughout.

What a proper ADHD assessment involves

A credible assessment is far more than an online questionnaire. At Caledonian Psychiatry your assessment is carried out by Dr David Crocker, an experienced psychiatrist (MRCPsych), over two 60-minute video consultations, following the NICE NG87 guideline and Scotland’s SIGN 145 standard for ADHD.

It covers your developmental history, how symptoms show up across different areas of life, validated rating scales, and careful screening for the conditions that commonly overlap with or mimic ADHD — such as anxiety, low mood, autism and sleep problems. A diagnosis is made only where the full criteria are genuinely met, and you receive a clear written report. Once booked, our guide to preparing for your ADHD assessment explains what to gather beforehand and what to expect on the day.

How much does a private ADHD assessment cost in Scotland?

We publish our fees openly, so there are no surprises:

• ADHD assessment — £800 (two 60-minute consultations and your diagnostic report).
• Follow-up appointments — £130 each, typically every 3–4 weeks while finding the right medication and dose.
• Prescriptions — £25 each, or £30 for controlled medications. ADHD stimulants are controlled drugs, which by law require a signed paper prescription and extra handling — that is the only reason for the small difference, not a charge for having ADHD.

The cost of the medication itself is separate and paid to your own pharmacy; you can see typical figures in our medication cost guide. Monthly costs usually fall once your dose is stable, and further still if shared care with your GP is agreed. Our full fee schedule lists every charge.

How long does it take?

Most people are seen within weeks rather than years. The assessment itself takes place over two sessions a short time apart. If ADHD is diagnosed and you choose to start medication, there is then a titration period of a few months, with regular reviews to find the dose that suits you best. Once you are settled, reviews move to roughly every six months.

After a diagnosis: treatment and shared care

Where treatment is appropriate, Dr Crocker will discuss the options with you and, if you wish to proceed, manage medication initiation and titration personally. We always aim to set up shared care with your GP so routine prescribing can transfer to the NHS, although acceptance depends on local health board policy and is not always within our control.

Getting assessed from anywhere in Scotland

Because every appointment is delivered by secure video, we see adults across Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness, the Lothians, the Highlands and Islands and the rest of Scotland from the comfort of home — no travel, no waiting room. Patients elsewhere in the UK, from London to Cornwall, are equally welcome. Caledonian Psychiatry is Scotland’s first independent medical agency to be regulated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland, and Dr Crocker scored a mean 4.97 out of 5 in his most recent patient-rated CARE Measure audit.

Read more about our ADHD assessment, or explore our autism assessment and combined ADHD and autism assessment if you suspect both conditions. Get in touch to arrange yours.

Assessments are available wherever you are in Scotland. Dr Crocker sees adults from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness, St Andrews and Fife, Stirling, Falkirk, Perth, Ayr and Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders, as well as the Highlands and Islands and beyond — all by secure video from home. For background on the NHS picture, see the guide to NHS ADHD waiting times in Scotland, an explanation of why Right to Choose doesn’t apply in Scotland, and an honest comparison of private vs NHS ADHD assessment in Scotland.

Beyond Scotland — England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Because every appointment is by secure video, a Scottish base is not a requirement — Dr Crocker also assesses adults living elsewhere in the UK, and three location guides look at what that involves locally. The Newcastle and North East England guide sets out the self-funded private route alongside a straight-talking look at the NHS Right to Choose scheme, which operates differently south of the border. The Wales guide covers the picture across NHS Wales and its health boards, and confirms that patients are seen the length and breadth of the country, from the south coast to the north. The Belfast and Northern Ireland guide explains how Health and Social Care differs from the NHS and confirms availability across every trust in Northern Ireland.

This article is general information, not medical advice. It was written by Dr David Crocker (MRCPsych, GMC 7411382) and published in May 2026.