How do I get referred for an NHS ADHD assessment in Scotland?

In Scotland, NHS ADHD assessment begins with your GP. You cannot self-refer, you need a GP to refer you to the relevant NHS service (adult psychiatry or psychology for adults; CAMHS for those under 18). When speaking to your GP, describe specific examples of how ADHD symptoms affect your daily life, confirm that these difficulties have been present since childhood, and ask to be referred for a neurodevelopmental or ADHD assessment.

How long are NHS ADHD waiting times in Scotland?

NHS ADHD waiting times in Scotland vary significantly by health board and have grown considerably since 2020. Some health boards report median adult waits exceeding 130 weeks from referral to assessment. Waiting times for children's ADHD assessment through CAMHS also vary. For current figures by health board, see the ADHD Scot NHS waiting times page.

What can I do if my GP refuses an ADHD referral in Scotland?

If your GP refuses a referral, you have several options: ask them to explain their reasons in writing; request a second opinion from a different GP at the same practice; put your referral request in writing so it is formally recorded; contact the Patient Advice and Support Service (PASS) for free, independent advice on your NHS rights; register with a different GP practice and request a referral there; or self-refer to a regulated private assessment service without needing GP involvement.

What happens at an NHS ADHD assessment in Scotland?

An NHS ADHD assessment in Scotland is usually carried out by a psychiatrist or psychologist in an adult mental health or neurodevelopmental service. It typically involves a detailed clinical interview covering your current symptoms and history from childhood, validated questionnaires, collateral information from someone who knew you as a child where possible, and screening for other conditions. You will usually receive a letter with the outcome. If you are diagnosed with ADHD and medication is appropriate, a specialist will initiate treatment, and ongoing care may transfer to your GP via a shared care arrangement.

The NHS ADHD pathway in Scotland

GP referral, waiting times, your rights, and what to do if you are struggling to access care

Reviewed by ADHD Scot, July 2026

How NHS referrals work for ADHD assessments

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.

Current NHS waiting times

Waiting times for NHS ADHD and autism assessment in Scotland differ considerably by health board and have grown dramatically since 2020. According to the Scottish Parliament research briefing SB 25-25 (June 2025), some health boards reported 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 had children's waiting lists of over 7,000 at that time.

Adult neurodevelopmental assessments are not available in all health board areas. According to the same June 2025 briefing, Lothian, Lanarkshire, Tayside, Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Highland, Western Isles, and parts of Grampian were documented as having some form of adult provision at that time. This does not mean services are accessible everywhere within those boards. Provision can vary significantly between Health and Social Care Partnerships (HSCPs) within the same board, some areas within a listed board may have no local clinic or no current pathway for adult ADHD or autism referrals. If your GP tells you there is no local service, that may be accurate even if your health board appears on this list. This information is from June 2025 and may have changed.

ADHD Scot has submitted Freedom of Information requests to all 14 health boards to establish the current position directly. Responses are published as they arrive.

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 →

What to expect from an NHS assessment

According to NHS Right Decisions guidance, Scotland's clinical guideline for ADHD, a thorough 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.

Trusted further reading

NHS Scotland Right Decisions, ADHD guidance, NHS Scotland's operative clinical and prescribing guidance for ADHD
Royal College of Psychiatrists, ADHD in adults
RCPsych CR235, ADHD in Adults: Good Practice Guidance (2023), the Royal College of Psychiatrists's clinical guideline for ADHD in adults
Royal College of Psychiatrists, ADHD in young people
NHS Inform, ADHD, NHS Scotland's public-facing information
Scottish Parliament Research Briefing SB 25-25, Neurodevelopmental Pathways and Waiting Times in Scotland (June 2025)
Patient Advice and Support Service (PASS)
Healthcare Improvement Scotland

ADHD Scot is an independent, non-clinical information project. Nothing here is medical advice. Always speak to your GP about your own health and referral options.