What Does a Good ADHD Diagnosis Look Like? And Will the NHS Accept a Private One?
These are the questions we are asked the most about an ADHD assessment.
Many families in and around Bedford are wrestling with uncertainty: Is my child or young person showing signs of ADHD? And if we pursue a private path, will it “count” in the NHS or with their GP? In this post, I want to explain clearly what a rigorous ADHD diagnosis should involve, how private diagnoses relate to NHS acceptance, the complexities of shared care, and how NeuroFX positions itself to offer clarity and continuity for locally based families.
1. What a High-Quality ADHD Assessment Should Include
A trustworthy ADHD evaluation is more than ticking boxes. To produce a diagnosis that is clinically robust, useful to schools, GPs, and other support services, and defensible in review, it should typically include the following elements:
Comprehensive developmental history
You should see a detailed account of how symptoms have manifested from early childhood through to now, in multiple settings (home, school, social). That usually means structured interviews with parents/carers or carers, a review of school reports and behaviour records, and possibly collateral questionnaires from teachers.Symptom questionnaires/rating scales in multiple settings
Standardised scales (from parent, teacher, and sometimes self-report) give comparative measures of attention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, executive functioning, etc. These help with objectivity and triangulation.Clinical interview and observation
A face-to-face (or, where appropriate, online) interview by an experienced clinician who specialises in neurodevelopmental differences. The clinician explores how symptoms affect day-to-day life, co-occurring conditions, differential diagnoses, and how the pattern of behaviour fits ADHD criteria (such as DSM-5 or ICD-11).Consideration of comorbidities and differential diagnoses
ADHD often coexists with anxiety, mood difficulties, learning differences, sensory issues, or sleep disorders. These must be carefully screened out (or identified) so the ADHD diagnosis is not misleading or partial.Functional impact and impairment
It’s not enough to find traits; the report should show how symptoms are interfering with education, social relationships, home life, self-esteem, or other key domains.Written report with clinical formulation and recommendations
The final report should synthesise all the data, explain why the diagnosis is or is not given, discuss strengths/weaknesses, offer clear recommendations (non-medication strategies, school adjustments, therapeutic support), and outline next steps (including medication if appropriate). The report should also be pitched to be understandable by GPs, schools, or third-party agencies (e.g., EHCP, funding panels).Follow-up/monitoring plan
A good pathway doesn’t end the moment a diagnosis is given. There should be follow-up appointments, monitoring of response to interventions, reviews, and adjustments over time, because ADHD is dynamic, and what works at one stage may not later.
At NeuroFX, our ADHD assessments (for children aged 6+ as well as adolescents and adults) are designed around these principles. We offer assessments in person at our Bedford clinic or online (if the client is comfortable on camera) and follow NICE-aligned best practice. NeuroFX
2. Will the NHS / GP Accept a Private ADHD Diagnosis?
This is one of the most common and urgent questions families ask, and, unfortunately, the answer is nuanced.
What “accept” can mean
“Acceptance” is not a single, absolute thing; it typically falls into two related but distinct domains:
Recognition of the diagnosis: A GP, school, or other professional acknowledges the diagnosis and treats it as valid (for example, using it to support adjustments, accommodations, or onward referrals).
Shared-care prescribing / continuing care under the NHS: The GP might agree to prescribe medication under a “shared care agreement” long-term, rather than the private provider doing so.
So even if a diagnosis is "accepted," shared prescribing may or may not follow.
What affects whether it is accepted
The quality of the assessment matters. If a private diagnosis followed rigorous standards (as above), that gives it much stronger weight when being presented to a GP or NHS mental health team. Some NHS services and GP practices explicitly say they will only accept diagnoses conducted by specialist psychiatrists or via certain pathways.
GPs are not legally obliged to accept a diagnosis from a private clinic or enter a shared care arrangement. Whether they do is at their professional discretion. Legal Advice for GPs on ADHD Shared Care.
The local GP practice policy and local NHS/ICB (Integrated Care Board) or commissioning guidance may influence whether they accept shared care from private providers or Right to Choose providers. Some GP surgeries are explicit – “We do not enter into shared care prescribing arrangements with any private or Right to Choose ADHD clinics...” GP Surgery ADHD Advice! We recommend proceeding carefully and consulting your GP.
If the private provider’s report is deemed insufficiently detailed or lacking required elements, the GP or NHS service may request further assessments or reject it for prescribing.
Some areas implement the “Right to Choose” pathway, where patients referred by a GP may select a provider outside their area under NHS funding. If that pathway is active locally, it can help integrate a diagnosis into NHS services more smoothly.
3. Shared Care: What Is It? And How It Works
Once someone is stable on ADHD medication, it’s often more convenient and cheaper for their GP to take over prescribing (on an NHS prescription) while specialist oversight continues. That’s what shared care is.
Under a Shared Care Agreement, the specialist (e.g., psychiatrist or ADHD clinic) manages diagnosis, initiation, titration, and specialist oversight, while the GP prescribes and monitors regularly under agreed protocols.
In practice, a GP has discretion. They may decline if they feel the risk is too high, feel they lack experience, or see the agreement as placing too much burden on them.
If a GP refuses to accept shared care, the private provider may have to continue prescribing (if clinically and legally possible), or the family may need to transition to an NHS ADHD pathway or a different one.
Guidance documents exist (e.g., from medicines management groups) for how GPs should manage private-shared-care requests. These often stress the need for the private provider to supply full documentation, monitoring plans, and communication. NHS Advice on Shared Care and ADHD Medicines.
If a GP previously agreed to shared care but later withdraws, the patient may have to revert to private prescribing or transfer to an NHS service. Further NHS advice on ADHD prescribing: Private vs NHS
In short, shared care is a useful arrangement, but it is not guaranteed.
4. Your Right to Choose and Private vs NHS Routes
Families in Bedford have options, but understanding the trade-offs is vital.
The NHS route (via CAMHS, local neurodevelopmental teams, or adult ADHD services) is free to users but notorious for long waiting lists. Many people turn to private providers to avoid delay.
The Right to Choose (RTC) scheme is being rolled out in many regions, allowing patients to be referred by their GP to approved providers outside their local area. This can make a diagnosis more “portable” within NHS frameworks. ADHD UK Link
A private diagnosis offers speed, flexibility, and choice. You can often access assessment and treatment faster, choose clinicians, have more tailored follow-up, and not be bound by local NHS constraints.
The risk is that some GPs or local NHS services may not collaborate (as above with shared care), so families should plan ahead: check with their GP whether they are likely to accept shared care or a private diagnosis before committing. (Many expert resources encourage this.) ADHD UK
Because private providers are not constrained by NHS bureaucracy, they may offer better continuity, less red tape, more personalised care, and quicker adjustments — while still meeting high clinical standards.
NeuroFX aims to bridge that gap for Bedford and the surrounding areas. Our service is CQC-registered, follows NICE-aligned protocols, and supports clients in negotiating shared care, supplying documentation to GPs, and offering prescribing & monitoring where possible. NeuroFX ADHD Clinic
5. How NeuroFX Helps Families in Bedford (and Beyond)
Given the complexity, here’s how NeuroFX is structured to offer clarity, consistency, and action:
We offer ADHD assessments for children aged 6+, adolescents, and adults in our Bedford clinic or online for those who prefer. NeuroFX ADHD Screening
Our assessments aim to be NICE-compliant, clinically robust, and clearly understandable by schools, GPs, and other agencies. NeuroFX
After diagnosis, we provide a structured plan: follow-up appointments, reviews, and, where clinically appropriate, medication titration and prescribing under appropriate safety protocols. NeuroFX
For families wishing to work with their GP via shared care, we actively support that liaison. We supply full documentation, protocols, and backup advice to GPs — though we make clear that GP agreement is not compulsory and we will continue to manage prescribing if shared care is declined.
Because we are local to Bedford, we can offer face-to-face appointments more easily, flexibility around schooling times, and personal continuity that remote-only providers may struggle with.
6. Practical Advice for Parents Considering Private Diagnosis in Bedford
Before booking anything, speak with your GP: ask whether they accept shared care, whether they will accept a private diagnosis, and what documentation they require. If the GP is unwilling, you may want to consider changing GP or selecting a provider with experience bridging gaps.
Request a copy of the detailed assessment report (not a summary letter). That full document is more persuasive for GPs, schools, and other services.
Choose a provider that follows best-practice guidelines (e.g., uses standard rating scales, developmental history, multiple informant reports, and proper clinical formulation).
Clarify in advance who will monitor, prescribe and review, especially for medications, and whether the provider is willing to continue prescribing if shared care falls through.
Budget for follow-up appointments, reviews, and possible re-titration, not just the assessment fee.
Ask the provider how they support transitioning care into the NHS, or how they help with shared care negotiation.
7. In Summary
A meaningful ADHD diagnosis is a journey, not a moment. It requires diligence, nuance, and ongoing support. A private diagnosis can be accepted by GPs and NHS services — but that acceptance depends heavily on how good the assessment is, how the GP views shared care, and how robust the supporting documentation is.
For families in Bedford and nearby, NeuroFX strives to be a local, high-quality option, combining rigorous assessment, ongoing care, and support in navigating NHS relationships. If you’re weighing the paths ahead for your child or young person, we’re glad to talk you through it, help you check GP policies, and show you how we can serve as a reliable partner.
