The NHS pathway in Scotland
GP referral, waiting times, your rights, and what to do if you are struggling to access care
How NHS referrals work
In Scotland, ADHD assessment through the NHS starts with your GP. A GP cannot diagnose ADHD. They can only refer you on for assessment. Depending on your age, you will be referred to different services:
Under 18: Typically referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), though some health boards route this through paediatrics or dedicated neurodevelopmental teams.
Adults: Referred to adult psychiatry or psychology services. Provision varies significantly by health board. Some areas have dedicated neurodevelopmental services; others route ADHD through general adult psychiatry.
A June 2025 Scottish Parliament research briefing (SB 25-25) found that waiting lists have grown dramatically since 2020 and there are significant disparities in what is available between health boards.
The Scottish Government is also developing a Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill, which would create statutory duties around neurodevelopmental assessment and support. It is still in development.
Right to Choose does not apply in Scotland
This is one of the most common points of confusion for people in Scotland researching ADHD assessment.
Right to Choose is an NHS England policy. It allows patients registered with an English GP to choose from a list of approved providers, including some private providers that the NHS will fund. It does not apply in Scotland.
Scotland has its own NHS system, NHS Scotland, accountable to the Scottish Government rather than NHS England. If you are registered with a Scottish GP, Right to Choose is not available to you, regardless of what you read on UK-wide forums, Facebook groups, or social media.
What to expect from an NHS assessment
A thorough NHS ADHD assessment should include:
- A clinical interview covering your developmental history, current symptoms, and impact on daily life
- Validated rating scales and diagnostic instruments, such as the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scales or DIVA (Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults)
- A review of any available collateral history, written or verbal information from a parent, partner, or teacher who can speak to your presentation in current life and childhood.
- Feedback on the outcome, with an explanation of the clinician's reasoning whether or not a diagnosis is made
If your assessment does not appear to include these elements, you are entitled to ask why.
Current NHS waiting times
Waiting times for NHS ADHD and autism assessment in Scotland vary significantly by health board and have grown dramatically since 2020. According to a June 2025 Scottish Parliament research briefing, some health boards report median adult waiting times exceeding 130 weeks (over two and a half years), with the longest individual waits exceeding seven years. For children, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, NHS Highland, and NHS Orkney all reported median waits exceeding two years, with some children waiting over five years. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lanarkshire, and NHS Lothian each have children's waiting lists of over 7,000.
Adult neurodevelopmental assessments are only available in some health board areas. Lothian, Lanarkshire, Tayside, Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Highland, Western Isles, and parts of Grampian are documented as having adult provision. If you are not in one of these areas, your referral options may be more limited.
ADHD Scot is submitting Freedom of Information requests to all 14 health boards to gather current board-level data.
View NHS waiting times by health board →
What to do if your GP won't refer you
GPs cannot diagnose ADHD, but they can and should refer you for assessment if you present with symptoms. If your GP declines:
- Ask them to explain their reasons in writing, which creates a record and sometimes prompts reconsideration
- Ask for a second opinion from another GP at the same practice
- Put your referral request in writing. A letter creates a paper trail
- Contact Patient Advice and Support Service (PASS), a free, independent service that helps people understand their rights within NHS Scotland
If you cannot wait
If the waiting time in your area is longer than you can manage, a private assessment is an option. Our Compare private providers tool lets you filter providers in Scotland by regulation, assessment quality, costs, and shared care support.
About going private → · Compare providers →
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