Can I get an NHS ADHD assessment in Dunfermline?
Access is difficult. NHS Fife has confirmed there is no standalone service or dedicated waiting list for adult ADHD assessment in Fife — adults can request a GP referral, which is reviewed case by case by the general Community Mental Health Team, with any waits absorbed into overall CMHT activity. In a July 2025 statement, NHS Fife largely described support available "with or without a formal diagnosis," signposting people to self-help resources rather than a clear assessment route. Our private service has no waiting list and provides a formal diagnosis.
How much does a private ADHD assessment cost for Dunfermline patients?
Our private ADHD assessment is £900 paid in full, or available on a monthly payment plan from £225 per month. The fee includes the full diagnostic pathway and your written report. If you'd like both ADHD and autism assessed together, a combined assessment is £1,950 pay-in-full or £487 per month — more cost-effective than booking each separately.
Do Dunfermline patients need to travel for the assessment?
No — most Fife patients are assessed entirely online via secure video. Adult assessments are routinely completed remotely. For children, parent interviews and feedback sessions are online; only the direct child observation may require an in-person visit to our Edinburgh or Glasgow clinic, both a short journey across the Forth from Dunfermline.
Do I need a GP referral for a private ADHD assessment?
No. You can self-refer directly to our service. We will, however, request your consent to liaise with your Dunfermline or Fife GP to ensure continuity of care and to support shared care arrangements after diagnosis where supported.
Will my GP accept a private ADHD diagnosis and prescribe medication?
Shared care for ADHD medication varies by GP and health board. NHS Fife has confirmed it will consider a private assessment as part of a patient's overall care, accepting reports that meet current clinical guidelines. Our diagnoses are made by GMC-registered consultant psychiatrists using DSM-5-TR criteria and NICE NG87 standards. Where your Fife GP is unable to take on shared care, we can prescribe and titrate medication privately through our regulated service.
Can adults be diagnosed with ADHD for the first time?
Yes. A large proportion of our adult patients are diagnosed for the first time in their 20s, 30s, 40s or later. ADHD does not develop in adulthood — but it is frequently missed in childhood, especially in girls, in academically high-achieving children, and in those whose hyperactivity presents as inattention or internal restlessness. Adult-first diagnosis is one of our specialist areas.
Do you assess both ADHD and autism?
Yes. ADHD and autism frequently co-occur, and we are one of the few private clinics serving Fife that can assess both within a single consultant-led pathway. This is particularly valuable for Dunfermline patients, as NHS Fife has no single dedicated pathway for adults who suspect both conditions.
How long does the ADHD assessment process take?
From your first appointment to receiving the written report, the full process typically takes between two and six weeks, depending on your availability for clinical sessions and how quickly informant information can be gathered. Compared with the uncertainty of the NHS route in Fife, our pathway is designed to give Dunfermline patients clarity quickly.
