Getting treatment with an existing ADHD diagnosis

Summary: If you've already been diagnosed with ADHD and are coming to us via NHS Right to Choose, we may need to review your diagnosis before treatment can begin. This process – often called ‘revalidation’ – involves checking that your existing diagnosis meets NHS standards. Once complete, we'll get you started on the titration pathway. 

• Getting treatment with an existing ADHD diagnosis

• Getting medication with a diagnosis from childhood

• Diagnosis review: how it works

• How long the review takes

• How to access medication

• Titration and ongoing care FAQs 

If you’ve already been diagnosed with ADHD, you may be able to access treatment and medication through us. This applies whether you're new to medication or already taking medication and want to transfer your care to us. 

We offer treatment both privately and via NHS Right to Choose, though we may need to review your diagnosis before you start treatment. You might’ve heard this referred to as ‘revalidation’. This process is vital for clinical governance, prescribing best practice, and patient safety. 

• You're coming to us via NHS Right to Choose, and your diagnosis was made privately or through a provider outside of NHS Right to Choose.

• You’re coming to us as a private patient and have already been diagnosed by another provider. You’ll need to provide a copy of your outcome report to avoid the need for another assessment.  

• You were diagnosed by us. 

• You’ve previously been seen through the NHS for an ADHD assessment as an adult, whether directly through your GP or via Right to Choose.  

If you were diagnosed with ADHD during childhood, whether through the NHS, Right to Choose, or a private assessment, we’ll need to review your diagnosis before starting treatment.  

As part of this review, we’ll ask you to:

• Provide a copy of your ADHD assessment outcome letter or diagnostic report 

• Provide a copy of your Summary Care Record, which you can request from your GP

• Complete a Physical Health Questionnaire

• Complete the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) questionnaire

• Complete the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) 

These questionnaires help us to determine whether your ADHD symptoms have continued into adulthood and help us to assess your current clinical needs before starting treatment.  

In some cases, a full re-assessment may be required.  

Not sure which applies to you? Get in touch and we'll point you in the right direction.

Once we receive your referral, we’ll ask you to register on our patient portal and fill out some registration forms. 

Our clinical team will look over your existing diagnostic report to check it meets NHS requirements. We accept diagnoses from many established providers, including Psychiatry-UK, ADHD360, and Clinical Partners. 

For your diagnosis to be accepted, it will need to show evidence of:

• A confirmed ADHD diagnosis – not a provisional one

• Use of recognised assessment tools, such as Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults (DIVA-5) or Conners

• Evidence that your ADHD symptoms were present in childhood

• Evidence that your symptoms affect your daily life

• Consideration of other mental health conditions that could explain your symptoms

• An assessment carried out by a qualified specialist 

• Sometimes we need a bit more information before we can confirm a diagnosis. This might include questions about your current or childhood symptoms, physical health information, or your original assessment. If that’s the case, we’ll tell you exactly what we need and why.

• We always try to avoid putting you through any unnecessary steps, so please bear with us. And please remember – by asking these questions, we’re not casting doubt on your experience or your original assessment. We’re simply making sure your diagnosis meets NHS standards.

• Once your diagnosis is confirmed, we'll move you onto the titration pathway. 

• Timelines vary depending on documentation, whether we need information, and wider NHS pressures. We know waiting can be difficult. Your case will be tracked throughout, and we'll be in touch as soon as we have an update. 

You'll need a diagnosis of ADHD before you can access ADHD medication. As discussed above, we may need to review this diagnosis.

We offer medication services regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for adults diagnosed with ADHD. Whether you’re starting treatment, continuing care, or exploring alternatives, we always aim to make it easy to access support. 

Our medication services are available to: 

• Adults with ADHD who need medication and titration

• Patients already on ADHD medication who want to transfer their care to us

• NHS Right to Choose patients and private patients 

To get started, your GP will need to refer you to us. Once your referral is reviewed and if it’s accepted, we'll be in touch to guide you through the next steps. You'll need to provide:

• Your physical health observations (we'll send you a form for this)

• Your diagnosis report, if you were diagnosed elsewhere 

Your GP will also share your Summary Care Record (SCR) with us directly. 

Please note: NHS Right to Choose doesn't usually cover treatment alone – it's intended for the full pathway from diagnosis through to treatment. You can see our article on Right to Choose for more information. 

To join us privately, you can pay for the full titration pathway here. You'll need to provide:

• A copy of your physical health observations (we'll send you a form for this)

• Your diagnosis report, if you were diagnosed elsewhere

• Your Summary Care Record (SCR), which you can request from your GP 

Once we receive your payment, we'll be in touch within a few days. 

If you're new to medication, you'll begin with a titration process to find the right dose for you. After that, we’ll do annual reviews to keep an eye on your progress – and you can book an extra review at any time. For full details on how prescriptions are issued and how to get one, visit our prescriptions page. 

My diagnosis was made outside the UK – does that make a difference? 

It might. Your assessment report will need to be written in English. Assessments done outside the UK may need closer review to confirm they align with NICE guidance. In some cases, we may need to carry out a new assessment. We'll let you know if this applies to you. 

What if you're not able to confirm my diagnosis? 

If your documentation doesn't meet NHS standards, you may need a new NHS assessment. This is rare. If this applies to you, we'll explain why and talk you through your options. 

How much does titration cost? 

This depends on whether you're with us via NHS Right to Choose or as a private patient. For a full breakdown, see our pricing page.