Will my GP accept a
private ADHD diagnosis?

The vast majority will — particularly when the assessment follows NICE NG87 guidelines and is conducted by a registered UK clinician. Research from the Royal College of General Practitioners suggests over 80% of GPs will accept a well-documented private diagnosis and consider a shared care agreement. The key is the quality and completeness of the clinical report.

No. A GP cannot refuse to acknowledge a diagnosis made by a registered specialist clinician — that would be clinically inappropriate. What they can decline is entering a shared care agreement for prescribing. The diagnosis itself stands regardless of whether your GP agrees to prescribe.

A shared care agreement is an arrangement where your GP takes over prescribing your ADHD medication following a titration period. Once in place, you pay standard NHS prescription charges (currently ~£9.90 per script) rather than private prescription costs of £30–£80 per month. Getting shared care in place is the goal — and NeuroAxis reports are specifically structured to maximise the likelihood of GP acceptance.

GPs are most likely to accept shared care when: the assessment follows NICE NG87; the clinician is NMC or GMC registered; QbCheck objective evidence is included; the report provides a clear DSM-5 diagnosis with supporting evidence; specific prescribing recommendations are given including suggested medication and starting dose; and the report acknowledges any relevant medical history. NeuroAxis reports include all of these as standard.

First, ask your GP for their specific reasons in writing. Often a refusal is due to unfamiliarity with the provider rather than clinical concerns — a direct letter from the diagnosing clinician frequently resolves this. If not, you can continue on private prescription while seeking a second opinion from another GP at the same practice, or raise the matter with your ICB. You can also contact NHS England if you believe the refusal is unreasonable.

Yes. Under the Equality Act 2010, a diagnosis from a registered UK clinician via a NICE-compliant pathway is valid for requesting workplace adjustments, Access to Work support, Disabled Students Allowance (DSA), school EHCP applications, and exam access arrangements. NeuroAxis reports are accepted by employers, universities, schools and DWP.

The DVLA requires you to declare certain medical conditions including ADHD if it affects your ability to drive safely. A private diagnosis from a registered clinician is treated the same as an NHS diagnosis by the DVLA. Whether medication affects your licence depends on the type and dose — your clinician will advise.