NHS waiting times in Newcastle for ADHD
CNTW does not publish a precise current wait for its adult ADHD service (the multi-year waits sometimes attributed to CNTW online relate to its national gender service, not ADHD). The North East and North Cumbria ICB has confirmed that new referrals to NHS Trust adult ADHD services are not paused. North Cumbria patients are typically routed to Right to Choose rather than the Newcastle-based service.
Newcastle's adult ADHD service is based at Keegan Court in Gateshead. CNTW covers a wide geographic area including Northumberland, North Tyneside, Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland and South Tyneside. The ICB has explicitly confirmed NHS Trust referrals remain open, distinguishing Newcastle from several other cities where services are paused.
NENC ICB is in the process of transferring patients from one Right to Choose provider to another following service changes. The ICB has also set a 12-week minimum wait for Right to Choose providers to manage demand flow.
Your options in Newcastle
There are currently several routes to an adult ADHD assessment for people in Newcastle.
Multi-year wait; CNTW does not publish a specific current figure for its adult ADHD service
Referrals accepted subject to GP assessment and local capacity.
Approximately 44 weeks through Right to Choose providers in NENC ICB, with a minimum wait of 12 weeks
NENC ICB has agreed revised Indicative Activity Plans with Right to Choose providers for 2025/26 to 2026/27. The ICB has also been managing a transition of patients between providers.
Within days
Private assessment by a GMC-registered consultant psychiatrist. £799 all inclusive. Full report within 7 days. No referral needed.
Ready to book your Newcastle assessment?
Available by video call. No referral needed. Report within 7 days.
What a Distinct assessment involves
A Distinct assessment is a 60 to 90 minute structured clinical interview conducted by a GMC-registered consultant psychiatrist via secure video call. It uses the DIVA-5 diagnostic interview alongside validated symptom rating scales, following DSM-5 criteria throughout. You can attend from anywhere in England including Newcastle, without travelling.
Before your appointment you complete a pre-assessment questionnaire covering your symptoms, history, and daily functioning. At the end of the consultation your psychiatrist shares their clinical conclusion verbally. Your full written report follows within 7 days.
All Distinct assessments are conducted directly by the consultant psychiatrist, not reviewed or countersigned by one. This distinction matters for GP acceptance and shared-care prescribing.
Your report and what it enables
Your written diagnostic report is delivered within 7 days of your consultation. It covers your symptom history, the DSM-5 criteria met, the impact on your daily functioning, and clinical recommendations for next steps. It includes a letter addressed to your GP summarising the findings.
Your report can also be used for workplace adjustments under the Equality Act, Disabled Students' Allowance applications, and DVLA disclosure where required. There is no time limit on when you can use it.
Most Newcastle GPs will accept a diagnosis from a GMC-registered consultant psychiatrist for shared-care prescribing. NHS England guidance indicates GPs should not normally refuse prescribing following a diagnosis from a qualified specialist. We recommend discussing shared-care with your practice alongside booking your assessment. More on sharing your report with your GP.
Frequently asked questions
NHS waiting time data for Newcastle reflects publicly available information from Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust and the relevant ICB, current as of April 2026. Waiting times change and we recommend verifying current figures directly with your GP or the relevant trust.