NHS waiting times in Nottingham for ADHD
A 2022 Freedom of Information response gave an average wait of 12 months. NeSS receives approximately 500 referrals per month and now states it cannot accept requests to expedite. The service was rated as one of the better-performing adult ADHD services nationally at the time of that data, though demand has continued to grow.
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB has one of the shortest Right to Choose wait times in England at approximately 13 weeks. However, the area is notable for its explicit quality standards requirement: the local NHS has stated it may not accept diagnoses from providers not meeting UKAAN AQAS standards for the purposes of shared-care prescribing.
Your options in Nottingham
There are currently several routes to an adult ADHD assessment for people in Nottingham.
Approximately 12 months based on the most recent available data, though current figures are not published
Referrals accepted subject to GP assessment and local capacity.
Approximately 13 weeks through Right to Choose providers in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB, among the shortest in England
Right to Choose waits in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are notably short compared to most other ICBs. However, NeSS specifically warns patients that if they choose a Right to Choose provider, that provider must meet UKAAN Accreditation Quality Assessment Standards (AQAS). If it does not, the local NHS may refuse to accept the diagnosis for medication purposes.
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 Nottingham 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 Nottingham, 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.
NeSS and Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB specifically warn that Right to Choose providers must meet UKAAN Accreditation Quality Assessment Standards (AQAS) for the NHS to accept the diagnosis and support shared-care prescribing. If you are considering any assessment provider in Nottingham (private or Right to Choose), we recommend confirming this with your GP before proceeding. Distinct assessments are conducted by GMC-registered consultant psychiatrists; speak with your GP about how they approach shared-care for privately obtained diagnoses. More on sharing your report with your GP.
Frequently asked questions
NHS waiting time data for Nottingham reflects publicly available information from Nottinghamshire Healthcare 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.