The ADHD grey zone: why patients are stuck between private diagnosis and NHS care

The UK's ADHD assessment and treatment system faces significant challenges as patients navigate between private diagnoses and NHS care. Patients with privately obtained ADHD diagnoses, even from reputable professionals, often find them rejected by the NHS due to non-compliance with national guidelines. This leads to repeated assessments, delays in treatment, and increased strain on NHS resources, costing an estimated £164 million annually. The "right to choose" policy, intended to allow patients to select private providers for NHS-funded assessments, often fails due to difficulties in transferring care back to the NHS through shared-care agreements. Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged the government is failing to manage the surge in ADHD and autism referrals, highlighting systemic issues between private and state healthcare. This leaves patients like Sameer Modha and his children caught between systems, struggling to receive consistent and effective care.

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