Assessment & Process
Information about appointments, assessment structure, reports and what to expect from the process.
How do I know whether I should seek an ADHD assessment?
Many adults seek assessment after years of struggling with focus, organisation, emotional regulation, procrastination or mental overwhelm – without ever fully understanding why.
Others reach assessment after recognising patterns in themselves through research, workplace difficulties, burnout or a child’s diagnosis.
You do not need to be certain you have ADHD before seeking an assessment. If you have been struggling consistently and feel that something has never quite been properly explained or explored, that is reason enough to seek clarity. The purpose of assessment is to understand your experiences properly and provide a clear clinical picture of what may or may not be contributing to the difficulties you are experiencing.
How quickly can I be seen?
We aim to move quickly. Once booked, clinical triage typically takes place within the first week, with the assessment itself usually scheduled within two to three weeks of your initial enquiry. Most patients complete the full process – from first contact to feedback appointment – within approximately four weeks.
We will always be transparent about current availability before you commit to anything.
How long does the assessment take?
The assessment appointment itself lasts approximately 90 minutes.
Before the appointment, you will complete structured clinical questionnaires and may have a short triage call with a member of the clinical team. Your report is then completed within 10 working days, followed by a dedicated feedback appointment to discuss the outcome and next steps clearly.
Is the assessment remote or face-to-face?
All adult ADHD assessments at HG Mind Works are conducted remotely via secure video appointment.
This allows you to access assessment from home, with less disruption to work, childcare or daily responsibilities, while maintaining the same structured clinical standard.
What clinicians will I see?
Your assessment will be conducted by a named qualified nurse, psychologist or psychiatrist from HG Mind Works who specialises in adult ADHD. You will be told who is assessing you and what their qualifications are before your appointment.
All clinicians working within HG Mind Works are registered with the relevant professional body – which may include the GMC, NMC or HCPC – and operate under a structured clinical governance framework.
What is the DIVA-5?
The DIVA-5 is the Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults, fifth edition. It is the gold-standard structured clinical interview used by specialist clinicians to assess ADHD in adults. The interview covers current symptoms and their impact on daily life, as well as how those symptoms presented in childhood. It is designed to be thorough, clinically rigorous and sensitive to the way ADHD actually presents across different people and life circumstances.
Do I need school reports or childhood evidence?
No, although they can sometimes be helpful.
Because ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition present from childhood, part of the assessment involves understanding your early history. If possible, we may ask someone who knew you as a child to complete a short background form.
If you do not have school reports or childhood evidence available, we can still complete the assessment.
How is the report produced and reviewed?
Following your assessment appointment, your assessing clinician produces a detailed diagnostic report covering your history, the assessment findings and the clinical outcome. Before the report is issued to you, it undergoes a mandatory review by a second clinician. For us, this is a non-negotiable quality standard. Reports are issued within 10 working days of your assessment appointment.
What happens after the assessment?
You will receive a detailed written report explaining the assessment findings, diagnostic outcome and clinical recommendations.
A follow-up feedback appointment is included to talk through the outcome clearly, answer questions and discuss any next steps available to you.
If ADHD is diagnosed and treatment is clinically appropriate, we will explain the support pathways available. If ADHD is not identified, we will still provide a clear explanation of the findings and discuss any appropriate signposting.
Will my assessment be recognised by my GP or employer?
Our assessments are conducted by qualified clinicians operating within a CQC registered provider and follow NICE NG87 guidance using recognised clinical assessment frameworks, including the DIVA-5 structured interview.
Reports include a detailed clinical rationale and are produced to the standard expected for recognition within healthcare settings. However, individual GP practices and employers may still apply their own policies.
Can I use my assessment for a workplace reasonable adjustments request or Access to Work application?
Yes. A formal ADHD diagnosis from a CQC registered provider, supported by a detailed clinical report, is generally accepted as the basis for a workplace reasonable adjustments request under the Equality Act 2010.
Access to Work assessors will typically ask for evidence of diagnosis — our report provides that. We would recommend checking the specific requirements of your employer or Access to Work assessor in advance, as individual processes vary.
If you need a supporting letter in addition to your report, speak to the team and we will advise on what we can provide.
Can I be reassessed if I disagree with the outcome?
If you have concerns about the outcome of your assessment, the first step is to raise them with the clinical team. We take all feedback seriously and will explain the clinical rationale behind the findings in detail.
If you remain concerned, we have a formal complaints process. A second opinion from an independent provider is always an option, and we will not discourage you from seeking one. Our reports are produced to a standard that is designed to withstand clinical scrutiny.
What happens if I need to cancel or rebook my appointment?
We understand that circumstances change, particularly for people managing significant work or family pressures. We ask for a minimum of 48 hours’ notice for cancellations or rescheduling. Late cancellations or non-attendance may incur a fee, and this will be explained clearly at the point of booking.
If you are feeling anxious about attending and are considering cancelling for that reason, please contact the team — we would rather talk it through with you than have you disengage from a process that may genuinely help.
What support is available while I am waiting for my assessment?
Once you have booked, our team remains available to answer questions or discuss any concerns before your appointment.
If your circumstances change significantly while you are waiting, please contact us and we will advise on the most appropriate next steps. If you require urgent mental health support, you should contact your GP, call 111 or access emergency services where appropriate.
What is the difference between your service and the NHS?
The clinical assessment itself follows the same NICE guidelines and uses the same diagnostic tools.
The primary differences are waiting time, process clarity and ongoing pathway support. NHS waiting times for adult ADHD assessment currently run to several years in most areas of England. With HG Mind Works, most patients complete their assessment within approximately four weeks of first contact. You also have direct access to a prescribing and titration pathway without needing a separate referral, and a named clinician supporting you throughout.
I am already on an NHS waiting list. Can I still use your service?
Yes, and going private does not affect your NHS position. Your place on the NHS waiting list remains unless you choose to remove yourself from it.
Many people access a private assessment while remaining on the NHS list – some then choose to come off it once they have their diagnosis and treatment in place, others keep both running in parallel for a period.
That decision is entirely yours to make and we will not advise you either way.
Do you assess for autism as well as ADHD?
Not currently as part of this service. This page covers our adult ADHD assessment pathway only. If you are seeking an autism assessment, or suspect you may have both ADHD and autism, please contact the team directly and we will advise on what may be available or point you towards an appropriate provider.
Medication & Treatment
Questions about prescribing, titration, shared care and ongoing support.
Can I access medication through HG Mind Works?
Yes, where a diagnosis is reached and medication is clinically appropriate.
We provide prescribing and titration pathways managed through structured clinical reviews. Once medication is stable, we can support a shared care request with your GP. If shared care is declined, we are able to continue prescribing privately.
What happens during titration?
Titration is the process of finding the right medication and dose for you safely.
Your medication is started at a low dose and adjusted gradually based on how you respond. Reviews take place at two weeks, four weeks and three months, with your prescriber monitoring effectiveness, side effects, blood pressure and heart rate throughout.
Titration is a clinical process and cannot be safely rushed.
How long does titration take?
Most people reach a stable dose within approximately three months, although this varies from person to person.
Some people respond quickly to their first medication. Others require dose adjustments or a different medication type before finding the right fit. Your prescriber will discuss progress with you throughout the process.
What if my medication doesn't work?
Not every medication works for every person, and first-line treatments do not suit everyone.
If your initial prescription is not effective or causes unacceptable side effects, your prescriber will review the situation and discuss appropriate alternatives with you. There are several licensed medication options available for adult ADHD.
Can you support shared care with my GP?
Yes. Once your medication is stable and a consistent dose has been reached, we issue a shared care letter to your GP requesting that they take over routine prescribing and monitoring. We write to your GP at the conclusion of your assessment regardless of whether shared care is requested, so your records are complete.
If your GP accepts shared care, ongoing prescribing transfers to them. If they decline, we continue to support you privately.
What happens if my GP refuses shared care?
Some GPs do decline shared care for privately initiated ADHD medication, and we believe it is important to be open about that from the start.
If shared care is declined, we are able to continue prescribing privately and will always explain the options available to you clearly before treatment begins.
Do you offer annual reviews?
Yes. An annual review is a NICE NG87 requirement for adults on ADHD medication. We include this as part of our ongoing care.
Your review covers medication efficacy, side effects, any changes in your circumstances and whether your current treatment plan remains appropriate. A letter is sent to your GP following every annual review, regardless of shared care status.
What happens if I stop medication?
If you stop medication for three months or more, we issue a discharge summary and close your active care pathway. If you want to re-engage later, a re-engagement pathway is available – you won’t need to start from scratch.
Costs & Practicalities
What is the total cost if I go through the full pathway?
The assessment itself is £700.
If you proceed to prescribing and titration, the quarterly titration pathway is £400, which covers reviews at 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 3 months.
Individual follow-up appointments are £100. Annual reviews are included.
If your GP accepts shared care once your medication is stable, ongoing prescribing and monitoring transfers to them at that point and your private costs reduce accordingly.
We will always give you a clear picture of likely costs at each stage before you commit to the next one.
Are there any hidden costs?
No. The assessment fee covers your pre-assessment questionnaires, triage call, 90-minute assessment appointment, clinical report and feedback appointment. There are no administration charges, no fees for correspondence with your GP and no charges for the second-clinician report review.
If you choose to continue into prescribing and titration, those costs are set out clearly before you begin. Nothing will be added without your knowledge and agreement.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes. We offer Klarna as a payment option, allowing eligible patients to spread the cost of assessment across monthly instalments. We also accept card payments and bank transfer.
There are no ongoing charges unless you continue into prescribing, titration or follow-up support.
Emotional Concerns
Questions many adults have before seeking ADHD assessment for the first time.
What if I am not sure whether I have ADHD?
That uncertainty is extremely common and often one of the reasons people seek assessment.
The purpose of the assessment is not to confirm a particular outcome. It is to provide a clear clinical understanding of what may or may not be contributing to the difficulties you have been experiencing.
If ADHD is identified, you have clarity and a pathway forwards. If it is not, you will still receive a detailed explanation of the findings and any appropriate recommendations.
What if I feel nervous about the assessment?
That is completely understandable.
Many adults arrive at assessment after years of uncertainty, previous dismissals or feeling worried that they will not be taken seriously. The assessment is a structured clinical conversation, not a test. There are no right answers, and you will not be judged for how you present or how well you appear to be coping.
What if I have been dismissed before?
Unfortunately, that is a very common experience.
Many adults contact us after feeling unheard, minimised or quickly dismissed elsewhere. A specialist ADHD assessment is designed to look at your history and experiences in much greater depth than a brief appointment or screening conversation.
Being dismissed previously does not mean your experiences are not real or worth exploring properly.
What if I have previously been told I am anxious or depressed?
Anxiety and depression are common in adults with undiagnosed ADHD, often developing alongside years of overwhelm, exhaustion or difficulty coping consistently.
Being told you are anxious does not necessarily mean ADHD has been fully explored or ruled out. Many adults we assess have previously received anxiety or depression diagnoses before later pursuing ADHD assessment.
What if I have been masking for years?
Masking is extremely common in adults with ADHD, particularly in people who have spent years trying to appear organised, capable or in control externally.
Our clinicians understand that the internal experience can look very different from outward presentation. Appearing functional does not rule ADHD out, and it will not be held against you during assessment.
I've been managing fine on the outside - does that mean I don't have ADHD?
No. Many adults with ADHD appear highly functional to everyone around them. The internal experience – the effort required to maintain that appearance, the exhaustion, the strategies developed over years simply to keep up – is often invisible.
ADHD is assessed on the basis of your actual experience, not on how capable you appear to others. Presenting well in an assessment does not disqualify you, and our clinicians are experienced in understanding the gap between external presentation and internal reality.
What happens if the assessment does not result in a diagnosis?
A non-diagnosis is still a clinically valuable outcome.
You will receive a detailed written report explaining the findings clearly, and your clinician will discuss what the outcome means and whether any alternative support or signposting may be appropriate.
The purpose of assessment is clarity, not simply confirmation of ADHD.
ADHD in adults and late diagnosis
Does ADHD look different in different people?
Yes, significantly. ADHD is not one fixed presentation.
Some adults experience it primarily as difficulty with attention, focus and organisation. Others experience more hyperactivity, impulsivity or emotional dysregulation. Many experience a combination that shifts depending on circumstances, stress levels or life stage.
Women, in particular, more commonly present with internalised symptoms that are easier to miss or misattribute. Our assessment is designed to understand your specific experience rather than match you against a narrow template.
Can ADHD present alongside anxiety, depression or other mental health conditions?
Yes, and it frequently does. ADHD rarely presents in isolation in adults – anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties and low self-esteem are all common alongside it, often as a consequence of years of struggling without understanding why.
The presence of these conditions does not rule out ADHD and does not disqualify you from assessment. Where other conditions are present, your clinician will consider how they interact with and relate to the ADHD presentation.
Can women be diagnosed with ADHD later in life?
Yes, and it is increasingly common. Many women reach assessment in adulthood after years of symptoms being misunderstood, masked or attributed to anxiety, stress or personality.
ADHD can present differently across different people, and our clinicians are experienced in assessing adults whose symptoms may have been overlooked previously.
Is there a link between ADHD and the menopause?
There is growing clinical awareness of the relationship between hormonal changes and ADHD symptom presentation in women. Many women find that symptoms they had previously managed become significantly harder to cope with during perimenopause or menopause, as oestrogen levels – which interact with dopamine regulation – decline. Some women seek assessment for the first time during this period, having managed undiagnosed ADHD for decades. Our clinicians are aware of this relationship and will take it into account as part of your assessment.
Can men be diagnosed with ADHD for the first time in adulthood?
Yes. While ADHD in boys has historically been more readily identified, many men reach adulthood without ever having received a formal assessment. This is particularly common where hyperactivity was less prominent and difficulties were attributed to attitude, effort or ability rather than an underlying condition. Adult diagnosis is valid, clinically meaningful and increasingly common across all genders.
What if I think I have both ADHD and autism?
ADHD and autism do co-occur, and it is not uncommon for adults to suspect both. Our current adult assessment pathway focuses on ADHD. If during your assessment there are indicators that autism may also be relevant, your clinician will note this in your report and discuss appropriate next steps with you. We will not ignore what we observe, but we will also be clear about the limits of what this assessment pathway covers.
Recognition & reports
Are your assessments recognised by the NHS, schools and workplaces?
HG Mind Works follows nationally recognised, NICE-aligned diagnostic standards, and our reports are prepared to a professional clinical standard. They are widely used to support people in their dealings with GPs, employers and workplace adjustment teams, schools and universities, and local authority and social care teams. We can also provide GP letters and other supporting documentation where required.
Please note that acceptance of any private report – particularly for purposes such as NHS shared care prescribing – is ultimately at the discretion of the receiving organisation. If you are seeking an assessment for a specific purpose, it is worth confirming any local requirements in advance, and we are happy to help you with this.
Can you provide workplace or educational reports?
Yes. We can provide workplace adjustment reports, university disability support documentation, and professional letters for HR, occupational health or GP practices. These are produced by clinicians with relevant expertise.
Quality, safety & your rights
Are your clinicians qualified and regulated?
Yes. All our clinicians are fully qualified, DBS checked and registered with the relevant professional bodies, which may include the GMC, NMC, HCPC, and BABCP or BACP for psychological therapists. We operate to strict clinical governance standards and every diagnostic report undergoes a mandatory second-clinician review before it is issued.
How do you keep my information confidential?
We handle your information in line with UK data protection law and have a named Data Protection Officer. Your clinical information is stored securely and shared only with your consent, or where we are legally required to do so.
The main exception is where there is a serious risk to your safety or the safety of others, in which case we may need to share relevant information to keep people safe. Your clinician will always try to discuss this with you wherever possible.
What should I do in a mental health crisis or emergency?
HG Mind Works is not an emergency or crisis service and we are not able to provide urgent or out-of-hours support.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, please call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. For urgent mental health support, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option, or contact the Samaritans free at any time on 116 123.
If you are already under our care and your situation changes, please also let your clinician or our admin team know so we can review your care.
What if I want to withdraw from an assessment or treatment?
You can choose to pause or withdraw at any time. We will talk through what this means for you, make sure you are not left without appropriate support, and signpost you to alternatives where helpful. Your care is always your choice.
How do I raise a concern or make a complaint?
We welcome feedback and we want to know if something has not gone well. You can raise a concern directly with our admin team, who will explain our complaints procedure and how we will respond. If you remain unhappy after we have responded, you are also able to contact the Care Quality Commission.
How can I give feedback about a positive experience?
You can share feedback with our admin team or your clinician directly. With your permission, we may use anonymised feedback to help improve our services for others.