PRIVATE ADHD ASSESSMENT SALFORD MANCHESTER

We have tried our best to simplify this process for you. Just schedule an appointment with us using our online digital calendar where you can book your first appointment at your convenience. 

Yes, we usually send you a few brief questionnaires to complete before your assessment.

The first appointment is usually brief, lasting around 20 minutes. During this time we collect essential information such as demographic details, GP surgery, past medical history, and the basic presenting concerns. This stage is primarily administrative and clinical groundwork. We require this information before moving on to the psychological and psychiatric elements, which are much more detailed and intensive.

The second appointment is the psychological assessment with our partner CAL.  This is where the detailed psychological assessment takes place. You will sit down with our psychologist for evidence-based testing, typically lasting 60–90 minutes (though this can vary). During this session we use validated screening tools, explore your personal and medical history in depth, and—where relevant—review information from schools, workplaces, or family to build a clear picture.

A key part of this appointment is the QbCheck. This is a computer-based test that objectively measures attention, impulsivity, and activity levels. It provides data that can be compared against a large reference group, helping to clarify whether difficulties are consistent with ADHD or might stem from other causes.

Importantly, we do not just look for ADHD. The assessment considers the whole person—examining factors such as mood, anxiety, sleep, learning profile, and any other conditions that can overlap with or mimic ADHD. Our aim is to carefully “unpick” everything so we reach the most accurate diagnosis and tailor the right treatment plan.

The third appointment is the meat of the whole process and where we focus on intervention.  This appointment is 60–90 minute consultation with our psychiatrist. Before you arrive (we offer home visits also), the doctor will have read your assessment report and background information. During the session, they will take a detailed medical history, confirm the diagnosis, and carry out a clinical examination where appropriate.

This appointment also focuses on treatment planning. The psychiatrist will discuss the full range of medication options, explain how they work, and answer any questions you may have. In most cases, if medication is appropriate and agreed, a prescription will be issued and treatment will be initiated at this stage.

Our standard ADHD package includes four key appointments, each designed to give you a thorough, personalised experience:

1. Initial Consultation –This initial appointment typically lasts 20 minutes and serves as the starting point of your journey. You’ll meet face-to-face with a doctor, who will take a brief medical and psychiatric history. Any questions you have about the process will be addressed, and a referral will be arranged for a comprehensive psychological assessment.

2. Psychological  Assessment -The next step is a thorough psychological evaluation, typically carried out by a Consultant Psychologist from our trusted partner, Clinical Assessments Limited (CAL). As part of this process, you will also complete a computer-based QB Check. This test is designed to assess attention, impulsivity, and activity levels, and is often scheduled as a separate appointment

3. Doctor Consultation –Well done! You will have reached the meat of the whole process. You’ll meet with one of our experienced doctors. By this point, they’ll have reviewed your full assessment and QB report in detail. This appointment is where a formal diagnosis can be made and treatment options — including medication or non-medication therapies — are discussed.

4. Follow-Up Appointment(s) – This is an important step, especially if you begin medication. Most patients require one to two follow-up appointments to review how they’re doing, make adjustments to dosage (titration), and ensure the treatment is working well for them.

5. All inclusive – All the above is included in one package. No extra hidden costs. We want you to understand the scale of the journey right from the beginning.

This is a really common — and important — question. Many of our patients are eager to know when they’ll be able to sit down with a qualified clinical doctor, and rightly so. It’s a key milestone in your journey and often a life-changing moment.

Once your psychological assessment is completed, including the QB Check, your doctor will receive a detailed report. We’ll then arrange an appointment for you with one of our experienced doctors. Before you meet, they will have carefully reviewed your assessment in full.

This appointment usually lasts around 60 minutes. During this time, a formal diagnosis may be made. If appropriate, treatment options — including medication — can be discussed and prescribed. We’ll also explore non-medication-based support, such as ADHD coaching or therapy, if that’s a better fit for you.

This is often the stage where everything begins to come together — where support, clarity, and next steps become real. It’s the start of your journey toward a more confident, focused you.

The QB Check is a simple, computer-based test that helps us understand how your brain manages focus, attention, and activity levels. It’s one of the few objective tools available to support an ADHD diagnosis — and it plays an important role in getting a clearer picture of how your mind works.

During the test, you’ll be asked to complete a short task on a screen while a small motion sensor tracks your movements. It’s completely non-invasive, takes around 20 minutes, and many patients find it quite straightforward.

The results help your doctor see patterns that might not be obvious through conversation alone — and when combined with your psychological assessment, it adds an extra layer of clarity and confidence to the diagnostic process.

It’s not something you need to study or prepare for — just come as you are.

Yes, absolutely. All the findings from your assessment will be carefully summarised in a clear, professional report. This is securely stored in our practice system, and you’ll receive a unique email link to download it as a PDF — which you can save or print at your convenience.

The report is yours. You’re free to share it with others, like your GP or workplace, but there’s no obligation to do so.

Before we send you the final version, you’ll also have the chance to review it. If you feel something’s missing or not quite right, you can let us know — and we’ll make any necessary amendments to ensure the report truly reflects your experience.

This is a very common question — and a perfectly understandable one. Many patients need additional support beyond the initial four appointments, and that’s completely okay.

Sometimes medication needs to be reviewed or adjusted (a process called titration), other times a patient may experience side effects and want to explore alternative options. And of course, some people simply want a check-in months later — whether it’s 6 or 12 months down the line — to make sure everything is still on track.

Rest assured, we’ll be with you every step of the way. If you have purchased the complete ADHD psychology and psychiatry package, you’ll be entitled to book a fifth follow-up appointment at no extra cost as part of your care.

If you’ve already been seen by us before and need an additional follow-up, you can easily book extra follow-up appointments through our online calendar whenever you need them. These sessions aren’t included in the original ADHD package and will carry a separate fee, but they’re there to ensure you continue receiving the care and guidance you need.

You’re never on this journey alone.

At The Doctors Clinics, we take great pride in getting the diagnosis right. We are not a “drive-through” or conveyor-belt ADHD service. Every patient is unique, and we believe your care should reflect that. Our process is thoughtful, thorough, and guided by clinical integrity. From the first psychological assessment to your consultation with a doctor, our focus is on understanding you — not just ticking boxes. We don’t rush to medicate unless it’s appropriate, and we’re here to support you every step of the way, with honesty, expertise, and care that puts your wellbeing first.If the assessment concludes that you do not meet the criteria for ADHD, you will still receive a full clinical explanation of the results during your follow-up appointment with our GP.

In many cases, the assessment may highlight alternative diagnoses (such as anxiety, autism spectrum condition, or another neurodevelopmental or psychological issue), or it may confirm that no specific diagnosis is present.

We will:

• Explain the findings in detail.

• Provide recommendations for next steps, including signposting or referrals to appropriate services or specialists (e.g., counselling, CBT, educational psychology, or autism support).

• Offer flexibility on your ADHD package: unused follow-up appointments (which would have been used for medication titration) can either be refunded or reallocated to discuss the results further or support you with managing related concerns.

We understand how important clarity is, and even if ADHD is not the diagnosis, you will still leave with a better understanding of your difficulties and a plan to move forward.

Yes, NHS GPs can accept a private ADHD assessment, but it depends on the local NHS policy.
Most NHS practices in Manchester and Greater Manchester will usually add a high-quality private report to the patient’s record, and some will take over prescribing under a shared-care agreement if the report meets their standards. Shared care isn’t guaranteed, though — it’s always at the discretion of the NHS GP and the local mental-health trust.

At The Doctor Clinics, ADHD Clinic  our assessments follow NICE guidance and include psychology screening, full psychiatric evaluation, and clear treatment plans, which helps improve the chances of shared-care being accepted. Many of our patients across Manchester have had their NHS GP take over prescribing once they’ve been stabilised.

If shared care isn’t possible in a particular area, patients can continue their ADHD care privately with us.

The cost of a private ADHD assessment varies depending on the level of detail and who completes it.
In Manchester, most clinics charge anywhere from £900 to £1,600 for a full adult assessment, and often more for combined psychology-and-psychiatry packages. At The Doctor Clinics, our pricing is transparent and includes the full process — screening, diagnostic assessment, safety checks, and follow-up reviews if you choose one of our ADHD packages. See our ADHD Clinic page for further information.

Some clinics offer cheaper “psychiatry-only” assessments, but these typically don’t include the psychological testing or the depth of screening many NHS GPs expect before agreeing to shared care.
If you’re comparing clinics in the Manchester area, it’s worth checking what’s actually included: who carries out the assessment, whether medication reviews are built in, and how quickly you can start treatment.

Getting a private ADHD assessment is straightforward and usually much faster than going through the NHS.Most patients start by choosing a reputable clinic that offers full, NICE-compliant assessments. At The Doctor Clinics ADHD Clinic in Manchester, the process begins with a psychology screening, followed by a detailed psychiatric evaluation to confirm the diagnosis and discuss treatment options.

You don’t need a GP referral — you can book directly online and choose a video, clinic, or home-visit appointment. After the assessment, you’ll receive a formal diagnostic report that you can share with your NHS GP, and medication can be started if appropriate. Follow-up reviews are then used to fine-tune treatment and support shared-care arrangements with your GP where possible.

Private ADHD assessments are ideal for people who want clarity quickly, prefer a more personal approach, or have been waiting a long time on NHS lists.

A private ADHD assessment typically takes between 1 and 2 hours, depending on the clinic and the depth of the evaluation.
Most ADHD assessments include a detailed clinical interview, a review of symptoms from childhood to adulthood, and a discussion about how ADHD affects day-to-day life. In our Manchester clinic, the process is split into two parts: psychology screening first, followed by a full psychiatric assessment to confirm the diagnosis and talk through treatment options.

You’ll usually receive your report within a few days, and if medication is appropriate, treatment can begin soon after. Private assessments are designed to be thorough but efficient, giving you clear answers without the long NHS waiting times.

The “30% rule” in ADHD refers to research showing that many people with ADHD function about 30% behind their chronological age in certain executive-function skills.

This includes areas like organisation, emotional regulation, planning, impulse control and working memory. It doesn’t mean someone is less intelligent — rather, the brain systems that manage these tasks develop at a different pace.

For example, a 20-year-old with ADHD may show patterns of organisation or self-management more typical of someone around 14–16. This concept helps clinicians understand why day-to-day tasks can feel disproportionately difficult, even for bright, capable people.

It’s also a useful way for families, employers and teachers to make sense of support needs. The rule isn’t an official diagnostic criterion in the UK, but it’s widely discussed in ADHD literature and often used as a simple way to explain how executive-function delays show up in real life.

See our ADHD Clinic page or our ADHD assessments page for further information.

Choosing a private ADHD assessment comes down to finding a clinic that is reputable, thorough, and follows NICE guidelines.
Look for a service that includes both psychological screening and a full psychiatric assessment — this is the level of detail most NHS GPs expect before considering shared-care prescribing. It’s also important to check who will be assessing you, how experienced they are, and whether the clinic provides a clear written report you can share with your GP.

In Manchester, many people choose private clinics because they want faster access, flexible booking options, and clearer communication than they’ve had on NHS waiting lists. At The Doctor Clinics, ADHD Clinic the process includes psychology questionnaires, a structured diagnostic interview, risk assessment, and a detailed treatment plan so you know exactly where you stand.

When comparing providers, consider what’s included in the price, how many follow-up reviews are offered, and whether the clinic will support you with medication stabilisation and shared care afterwards. Picking the right clinic can make the whole ADHD journey much smoother.

Our ADHD psychology and psychiatry package is designed to include the whole journey from A to Z. From the initial asessment to the diagnosis, reviews and sahred care transition. It includes everything so you know what you pay for from the outselt with no hidden extras.

Yes, schools can recognise a private ADHD diagnosis, and many do.

Most schools in the UK will accept a well-structured diagnostic report from a qualified clinician — whether it was completed privately or through the NHS. The report is usually added to the child’s school file and can be used to guide support plans, classroom adjustments and access arrangements.

The Doctor Clinics ADHD assessments have been accepted by many schools as well as GP shared care.

What matters most is the quality of the assessment. A clear, NICE-aligned report that includes history, symptoms, functional impact and recommendations is far more likely to be accepted without question. At The Doctor Clinics, our assessments are designed so families can share them confidently with schools across Manchester and Greater Manchester.

While schools cannot prescribe medication or make clinical decisions, they can use the diagnosis to tailor support, request an EHCP assessment if needed, and put appropriate strategies in place to help the child thrive.

See our ADHD clinic webpage for further details about private ADHD assesments in Manchester.

Most GPs will accept a private ADHD diagnosis, but how they respond can vary between practices.

In many areas of Manchester, GPs will add a high-quality private report to the patient’s NHS record and may agree to shared-care prescribing once the patient is stable. However, shared care is never guaranteed — each GP practice and local mental-health trust has its own policies.

At The Doctor Clinics, ADHD clinic we have worked with many GP practices who have accepted our ADHD assessments and we hold shared care ADHD agreements with many GP practices nationwide.

What GPs usually look for is a thorough, NICE-compliant assessment carried out by qualified clinicians, with clear reasoning, risk assessment and a structured treatment plan. At The Doctor Clinics, our ADHD assessments are designed to meet these standards, and many of our patients do successfully transition to NHS prescribing after their stabilisation period.

If a GP cannot take over prescribing due to local policy, you can continue with private ADHD medication reviews through our clinic.

Most GPs will accept a private ADHD diagnosis, but how they respond can vary between practices.

In many areas of Manchester, GPs will add a high-quality private report to the patient’s NHS record and may agree to shared-care prescribing once the patient is stable. However, shared care is never guaranteed — each GP practice and local mental-health trust has its own policies.

At The Doctor Clinics, ADHD clinic we have worked with many GP practices who have accepted our ADHD assessments and we hold shared care ADHD agreements with many GP practices nationwide.

What GPs usually look for is a thorough, NICE-compliant assessment carried out by qualified clinicians, with clear reasoning, risk assessment and a structured treatment plan. At The Doctor Clinics, our ADHD assessments are designed to meet these standards, and many of our patients do successfully transition to NHS prescribing after their stabilisation period.

If a GP cannot take over prescribing due to local policy, you can continue with private ADHD medication reviews through our clinic.

For many people, a private ADHD assessment is worth it because it gives them clarity far sooner than they might get through the NHS. Long waiting lists can leave people struggling at home or at work without a diagnosis, while a private route offers structured testing, a detailed clinical interview and a clear report you can actually use.

You can book into our ADHD clinic or view our ADHD assessments page for further information.

Patients who come to The Doctor Clinics often say the biggest value is finally understanding why they’ve been finding things difficult — problems with focus, organisation, overwhelm, or impulsivity suddenly make sense. A good private assessment also gives you a personalised treatment plan, guidance on medication options, and advice you can take back to your NHS GP for shared care if appropriate.

It’s not the cheapest option, but for many adults who’ve spent years feeling “something isn’t right,” the speed, depth and practical direction of a private assessment make a real difference to everyday life, work and relationships.

Yes — a primary care doctor can diagnose ADHD, but only if they have the right training and experience, and if the assessment meets the formal standards set out in UK guidelines. In reality, most NHS GP surgeries don’t provide full ADHD assessments themselves because the process is time-intensive and requires specialist tools, detailed history-taking, and rule-outs for other conditions. That’s why NHS pathways usually refer patients to psychiatry or specialist neurodevelopmental teams.

In private practice, the picture is similar. At The Doctor Clinics, ADHD Clinic your GP may recognise the symptoms early and guide you on whether an assessment is appropriate, but the formal diagnosis is carried out by a Consultant Psychiatrist or a trained ADHD specialist psychologist. This ensures the diagnosis is robust, meets NICE criteria, and can be accepted for shared-care with your NHS GP if medication is needed.

So while primary care doctors play an important role in spotting ADHD, the actual diagnosis is normally made by a specialist to make sure it’s accurate, thorough and recognised across all services. See our ADHD assessments page for a full list of our assessments.

Yes — you can get a private ADHD diagnosis and then receive treatment through the NHS, but it depends on your NHS GP and local NHS policies. The diagnosis itself is usually accepted as long as it has been completed by an appropriate specialist (such as a Consultant Psychiatrist) and follows NICE guidance.

Where things vary is medication under shared care. Your NHS GP can only take over prescribing once:

• the private specialist has stabilised your dose,

• a full shared-care plan is in place, and

• your NHS practice agrees to it.

At The Doctor Clinics,  ADHD Clinic we follow the exact NHS shared-care framework. Patients typically complete their assessment with our psychiatrist, start treatment with close monitoring, and — once stable — we write to their NHS GP with a detailed plan asking them to take over prescribing. Many practices agree, though some areas have stricter rules, so outcomes can differ.

Most people choose this route because it gives them a fast, thorough diagnosis privately but allows long-term medication to be managed within the NHS if their GP is willing to continue care.