Private ADHD assessment vs Right to Choose vs NHS waiting list: which is right for you?
The short answer
NHS Right to Choose is free for eligible adults in England, and waits vary by area. A private assessment is quicker to book and needs no GP referral; at Rainbow it costs £295–£595 for adults. Your local NHS list is free but often the longest wait.
There are three main ways to get an adult ADHD assessment in England: your local NHS service, NHS Right to Choose, or paying privately. Each has trade-offs around cost, waits and who can use it.
This guide compares all three honestly, using Rainbow’s published prices.
The quick comparison
| Local NHS list | NHS Right to Choose | Private | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who can use it | Depends on your integrated care board (ICB) | Adults registered with a GP in England, with a GP referral | Anyone, with no GP referral needed |
| Assessment cost | Free | Free for accepted patients | At Rainbow: £295 (AI-assisted) or £595 (fully human) for adults, £895 for ages 6–17 |
| Waits | Vary by ICB, and are often long | At Rainbow: Most patients are seen within a week of referral. Some NHS ICBs set their own waiting times, which Rainbow must follow, so times can vary by area. | At Rainbow: no wait, with next-day slots |
Rainbow prices correct as of 27 October 2026. For current fees, see private care or contact our team.
Option 1: your local NHS waiting list
Pros: it’s free, and your care stays joined up with your GP practice.
Cons: waits are often long, and they vary by ICB.
If you’re happy to wait and want everything to stay within your local NHS service, this can be the simplest route.
Option 2: NHS Right to Choose
Right to Choose lets you choose an NHS-contracted provider, such as Rainbow (e-RS service X9E9C), when your GP refers you. The assessment is free for accepted patients. It’s for adults registered with a GP in England, and the referral must come from your GP. Our guide on how to ask your GP for a Right to Choose referral covers eligibility and includes a letter template.
Most patients are seen within a week of referral. Some NHS ICBs set their own waiting times, which Rainbow must follow, so times can vary by area.
ICBs can set their own criteria. Thames Valley ICB, for example, has referral thresholds. North East and North Cumbria ICB has set a minimum wait for 2026/27.
Option 3: a private assessment
You don’t need a GP referral, and there’s no wait. Next-day slots are available for private assessments at Rainbow. For adults there are two options:
- AI-assisted assessment, £295. AI helps prepare information before your appointment, and a qualified doctor carries out your video assessment and makes the diagnosis. AI doesn’t diagnose ADHD. This option is for private adult patients (18+) only, not children or the NHS route.
- Fully human assessment, £595. Information gathering is led by people, without the AI step.
Both include a video assessment with a doctor, a written report, a GP summary and a short follow-up conversation. Assessments for children and young people aged 6–17 cost £895. See private care for adults and for children and young people.
Before you book, keep in mind:
- An assessment doesn’t guarantee a diagnosis.
- Any care after your assessment isn’t included in the assessment fee, so ask what it costs before you book.
- Paying privately doesn’t guarantee that NHS services will accept a private report.
Which route suits which person
- You’re eligible, can wait and don’t want to pay for the assessment: NHS Right to Choose.
- You need answers sooner and can afford it: a private assessment.
- You’re under 18: Rainbow’s private service for children and young people, or the NHS route through your GP.
- You live outside England: Right to Choose doesn’t apply, so the choice is between your local NHS service and a private provider. Rainbow’s private adult service is for adults in England.
Questions to ask any provider before you book
Whichever route you choose, these questions help you compare like with like:
- What does the assessment fee include?
- Who carries out the assessment, and what are their qualifications?
- Will I get a written report, and will a summary go to my GP?
- What happens after the assessment, and what does any follow-up care cost?
Can I switch routes?
- You can stay on the NHS waiting list while going private. However, paying privately doesn’t guarantee a transfer to NHS care or priority on an NHS waiting list.
- Once you’ve accepted a local NHS pathway, you usually can’t move to Right to Choose for the same referral, according to ICB guidance.
If you need help now
Rainbow isn’t an emergency service. If you’re in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call 999, go to A&E, call NHS 111 and choose option 2 for mental health, or call Samaritans free on 116 123.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Is a private ADHD diagnosis valid?
A diagnosis from a qualified specialist following NICE guideline NG87 is clinically valid. However, paying privately doesn't guarantee that NHS services will accept a private report.
How much is a private ADHD assessment at Rainbow?
For adults, £295 for the AI-assisted assessment, where AI helps prepare information and a doctor makes the diagnosis, or £595 for the fully human assessment. For children and young people aged 6–17, £895.
Is Right to Choose really free?
Yes. For patients accepted onto the pathway, the assessment is NHS-funded.
Which route is quickest?
It depends on your area. For Rainbow via Right to Choose: Most patients are seen within a week of referral. Some NHS ICBs set their own waiting times, which Rainbow must follow, so times can vary by area. Private assessments at Rainbow have no wait, with next-day slots.
Can I use Right to Choose for my child?
Rainbow's Right to Choose service is for adults only. Assessments for children and young people aged 6–17 are private.