How do I get an NHS ADHD assessment in Dumfries?

NHS Dumfries and Galloway has confirmed it does not operate an adult ADHD or autism assessment service. There is no NHS pathway for adult assessment in the board area. You would need to speak to your GP about options, which may include referral to a neighbouring board or a private assessment.

Is there an NHS ADHD service in Dumfries and Galloway?

No. NHS Dumfries and Galloway responded to a Freedom of Information request confirming there is no adult ADHD or autism assessment service in the board area. There is no waiting list because there is no pathway. This is one of the most significant service gaps identified in the ADHD Scot FOI project.

How much does private ADHD assessment cost in Dumfries?

Private ADHD assessment for people in Dumfries and Galloway typically costs between £800 and £2,000. Given the absence of a local NHS pathway, private assessment is one of the few options available. Most providers serving the region operate online. Always ask for a full written breakdown of costs covering assessment, titration, reviews, and prescription fees.

ADHD Assessment Dumfries, NHS & Private Options

NHS assessment in Dumfries and Galloway

NHS ADHD and autism assessment in Dumfries and the wider region is the responsibility of NHS Dumfries and Galloway, which covers Dumfries, Stranraer, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbright, and the rest of Dumfries and Galloway.

No adult service, confirmed by FOI

In July 2026, NHS Dumfries and Galloway responded to a Freedom of Information request from ADHD Scot confirming that there is no ADHD or autism assessment service for adults in this board area. There is no waiting list because there is no pathway.

This was confirmed under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, which boards use when information is not held because the function described does not exist.

Children and young people

For under-18s, the position is less clear. NHS Dumfries and Galloway stated that CAMHS data is not held in a reportable format and could not be provided. The FOI response did not confirm whether a CAMHS assessment pathway exists. If you are a parent or young person seeking assessment, it is worth speaking to your GP directly to find out what is currently available through CAMHS locally.

You can read the full FOI response on the NHS Dumfries and Galloway page and in our FOI tracker.

Getting a referral, what you can do

Even where specialist NHS services do not exist, your GP remains a useful starting point:

Ask your GP directly what is available locally for ADHD or autism assessment
Ask whether a referral to an out-of-area service is possible in exceptional circumstances
Ask what support is available while you wait or pursue private assessment
Request that the situation is documented in your notes

Some people in areas with no local service are referred to specialist teams in other board areas, though this is not guaranteed.

Private assessment

Given there is no NHS adult service in Dumfries and Galloway, private assessment is the primary route to diagnosis for adults in this area. Online providers who assess people remotely across Scotland are the most accessible option for most people in Dumfries and Galloway.

Private assessment typically costs between £800 and £2,000 for adults. Key things to consider:

HIS registration: Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) is Scotland's regulator for private healthcare. An HIS-registered provider has been inspected and meets required standards. Not all providers are legally required to register, services that do not employ, engage, or grant practising privileges to a medical doctor, nurse or other listed professional are exempt, as are England-based online providers regulated by the CQC. Our regulation page explains what this means.

Shared care support: If you receive a private ADHD diagnosis and are prescribed medication, you will initially pay for private prescriptions. Many people then ask their NHS GP to take over prescribing through a shared care agreement. NHS Dumfries and Galloway GPs can agree to shared care, though individual GPs retain the right to decline. Our shared care guide explains the full process.

Assessment method: A thorough assessment uses validated rating scales (such as Conners, DIVA 2.0, or ADOS-2 for autism) and gathers information from someone who knows you, not just self-report.

Find private providers serving Dumfries →

After a diagnosis in Dumfries

ADHD medication

A private ADHD diagnosis and prescription from a private clinician is valid in Scotland. You can ask your NHS GP to take over prescribing through a shared care agreement. Our shared care guide explains the process and what to do if your GP refuses.

Autism support

Following an autism diagnosis, support may be available through Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership and national organisations including Scottish Autism. Our after diagnosis page has more guidance on what to do after a diagnosis.

Support groups

The Scottish ADHD Coalition lists ADHD support groups across Scotland, and our support page links to national organisations that can help connect you with peer support in your area.

Useful links

ADHD self-screener, takes around five minutes; useful before any appointment
Autism screener, validated adult autism self-report tool
Compare private providers, filter by assessment type, cost, HIS status, and more
NHS Dumfries and Galloway, full FOI detail, what the response said and what it means
FOI tracker, all FOI responses from Scottish health boards
Shared care guide, what to do after a private diagnosis
Going private, a full guide to private ADHD assessment in Scotland
Autism assessment in Dumfries, our autism-specific guide for Dumfries and Galloway