Examining ADHD Assessment Quality: Private Sector vs NHS
Private ADHD assessments are just as good as NHS ADHD assessments. Whether you seek your ADHD assessment privately or via the NHS does not mean that the quality of accuracy will be any different.
Why seek a private ADHD assessment?
More and more people are looking to the private sector to seek private ADHD assessments to avoid delayed assessment and treatment. NHS waiting lists to access NHS ADHD assessments vary across the country but increasing waiting times are well publicised. In some areas, the waiting lists are reaching as many as 10 years. For many people, waiting several years to access NHS ADHD assessments is unacceptable. We know that many people are living with ADHD without knowing that they have the condition, but for people who identify with many of the symptoms, being unable to access NHS ADHD assessments means that their needs remain unmet and their life, a continued struggle.
Private vs NHS ADHD evaluations
Choosing whether to wait for an NHS ADHD assessment or to seek a private ADHD assessment will not be an easy decision for many people. Some people will always prefer the convenience of private healthcare, but many people will have to carefully weigh up the advantages and disadvantages between private ADHD assessments and NHS ADHD assessments. Let us look at some of those differences.
Private ADHD Assessments:
If you opt for a private ADHD assessment, you should expect to see a qualified clinician sooner than you would see an NHS clinician. Private ADHD assessments are subject to the same stringent quality standards as an NHS ADHD assessment. Several clinicians may be involved in the assessment of ADHD. Psychiatrists are often lead in the assessment of ADHD, but psychologists may be equally qualified to conduct the assessment. However, if you are seeking ADHD medication, the prescription would need to be issued by a psychiatrist, or a specialist non-medical prescriber.
Choosing a private ADHD assessment means that you can expect greater options when selecting an appointment time and picking your clinician. Of course, private ADHD assessments come with an obvious disadvantage: cost. For many people, this cost is worth the peace of mind that a swift assessment brings. In the long run it may even save money if seeking the right support allows you to optimise your life and productivity. Sometimes, undiagnosed ADHD can cause problems in relationships and so seeking help sooner may improve your overall quality of life. The other issue that some people fear is that a diagnosis made by a private provider will not be recognised by employers or education providers. Discriminating between private and NHS assessments in this way is unfounded.
NHS Assessments:
Most NHS mental health trusts provide adult ADHD assessments, or if they do not, the NHS will commission this service from a neighbouring provider. NHS assessments usually involve a multidisciplinary approach to meet the needs of the service. Therefore, you might see a psychiatrist, a psychiatric nurse, and a psychologist. Some areas might also involve a specialist pharmacist to help with prescribing. Sharing the responsibilities across a multidisciplinary team means that more people can be treated than in psychiatric clinics alone. Whilst this model allows the NHS to treat more people, some patients prefer continuity of care and seek consultant-led care from a single practitioner. Accessing ADHD assessment and treatment from a private provider gives patients continuity of care and the assurance of consultant-led care.
Recommendations
If you are still unsure which route to take, consider speaking to family and friends. Do you know anyone who has been through either assessment process? If so, talk to them. Ask them what went well and what was challenging. You may find that their experience will shape the decision that you need to make. If you are concerned about the quality of private ADHD assessments, do not be put off by claims that private ADHD assessments are inferior to those provided by the NHS. Remember that private providers may vary just as much as NHS providers differ; instead, look for markers of quality. Look to the Care Quality Commission for inspection reports and ratings. Not all services will have been inspected as inspection timetables vary, but the CQC is a good place to start. Look also for verified patient reviews. Be wary of websites that simply publish quotes; look instead for providers which subscribe to verified review platforms so that you may see the negative reviews as well as the positive.
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