ADHD clinic FAQs: costs, waiting times & next steps

Some clinics offer video assessments; others also have in-person appointments. Use our appointment filter, then check the clinic’s age and location rules. An online assessment does not mean every health check can be done at home.

No. There may be another wait for a prescribing appointment or titration. Ask for both estimates before choosing a clinic.

The route described here applies to England and has eligibility conditions. Ask your GP which services are available to you, and whether the referral includes assessment, treatment or both. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different arrangements.

Not automatically. An assessment may or may not lead to a diagnosis. If treatment is appropriate, the clinic may charge separately for a prescribing appointment. Ask whether prescription writing and the pharmacy’s medication charge are included.

There is no fixed number for everyone. Your clinician reviews how treatment is working and whether changes are needed. Ask how many contacts a package includes, what type they are and what a longer treatment period costs. A 12-week package does not mean twelve appointments.

• Prescribing and repeat-prescription fees.
• Medication, delivery and physical checks.
• Extra follow-ups or a longer titration period.
• Shared-care paperwork and continuing specialist reviews.

An ECG and EKG are names for the same heart test. NICE says it is not routinely needed before ADHD medication. Heart-related symptoms, medical or family history, or other medicines can mean further checks are needed. Your clinician decides what applies to you.

NICE recommends baseline height, weight, pulse, blood pressure and a cardiovascular assessment. During treatment, pulse and blood pressure are checked before and after dose changes and every six months. Ask the clinic how to supply readings and who arranges any extra tests.

Ask your clinic first. Check whether it supplies equipment, accepts readings taken elsewhere, or requires a particular monitor and cuff size. We do not currently sell monitors or earn commission from equipment links.

They contain the same active ingredient, but long-acting products can release it differently. Food instructions can also differ. Do not assume two brands are interchangeable: ask your prescriber or pharmacist before a change.

Yes. The answer depends on your exact medicine and everything else you take. Tell your pharmacist or prescriber about prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal products.

For example, some cough and cold remedies can affect blood pressure when taken with methylphenidate. This is one example, not a complete interaction check. Check before adding a medicine or supplement; do not change prescribed treatment on your own.

• Ask about your exact brand, strength and formulation.
• Check other pharmacies: their suppliers and stock can differ.
• If you still cannot get it, contact your prescriber for a plan before you run out.

Do not ration, stop or switch treatment without advice. We do not have a live pharmacy stock feed. An older national shortage notice cannot confirm what is available near you today.

Source last updated 30 April 2025; checked 27 September 2026 for practical advice. Its product shortage list is not used here as a current stock report.

Your GP must agree to shared care. It is not guaranteed by a private diagnosis or a set number of follow-ups. Ask your GP about its policy before paying privately, and ask the clinic for a budget if shared care is declined.

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