Psychiatry-UK vs Clinical Partners 2026: ADHD Assessment Compared

Psychiatry-UK and Clinical Partners are two of the UK's most-used providers for private ADHD assessment. Both employ qualified psychiatrists and have strong reputations, but they differ significantly on price, NHS funding, and format. Here's a detailed comparison.

Quick comparison

| | Psychiatry-UK | Clinical Partners | |--|---------------|-------------------| | Initial assessment | From £360 | From £300 | | Follow-up | From £180 | From £150 | | NHS Right to Choose | Yes (free via GP referral) | No | | Private wait time | 2-4 weeks | 1-2 weeks | | RTC wait time | 6-12 months | N/A | | Format | Online only | Online + nationwide clinics | | Medication titration | Included in RTC; from £180 private | Separate fee (from £150/appt) | | Shared care support | Yes | Yes | | Children & adolescents | Yes | Yes | | Other conditions | Yes (anxiety, ASD, depression) | Yes (full psychiatric range) |

Prices as of April 2026, based on publicly listed fees.

Psychiatry-UK: detailed breakdown

Psychiatry-UK is the UK's largest online psychiatry service and the most well-known provider for ADHD assessment, largely because of its NHS Right to Choose partnership.

Pricing (private route):

• Initial ADHD assessment: £360-580
• Follow-up appointments: from £180
• Medication titration: included in assessment pathway

NHS Right to Choose (free route):

Psychiatry-UK is an approved NHS provider. Under the legal Right to Choose, you can ask your GP to refer you to Psychiatry-UK instead of your local NHS mental health team. The assessment and medication titration are fully funded by the NHS — you pay nothing.

The process: your GP sends a referral, Psychiatry-UK triages it, and you join their waiting list. Current RTC waiting times are 6-12 months, which is significantly shorter than the 2-5 year waits reported by many NHS trusts.

Strengths:

• Free via NHS Right to Choose
• Medication titration included in the RTC pathway
• Large clinical team with ADHD expertise
• Established shared care processes with GPs
• Treats adults and children

Limitations:

• Online only — no in-person appointments
• RTC waiting times have grown significantly (6-12 months)
• Private fees are higher than some competitors
• Can be difficult to reach by phone or email during busy periods

Clinical Partners: detailed breakdown

Clinical Partners is a nationwide private mental health service with both online and in-person clinics across the UK. They cover a broader range of conditions than Psychiatry-UK.

Pricing:

• Initial ADHD assessment: from £300
• Follow-up appointments: from £150
• Medication management: charged per appointment (from £150)
• Full ADHD diagnostic + titration package: typically £800-1,500 total

Key features:

• In-person option: clinics in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, and other cities, plus online video appointments
• Fast booking: private appointments typically available within 1-2 weeks
• Broad expertise: psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists covering ADHD, ASD, anxiety, depression, bipolar, OCD, eating disorders, and more
• Integrated care: can provide ongoing therapy alongside psychiatric treatment

Strengths:

• In-person appointments available nationwide
• Faster private booking (1-2 weeks vs 2-4 weeks)
• Lower initial assessment fee (from £300)
• Broader range of mental health services
• Good option if you need assessment for multiple conditions

Limitations:

• No NHS Right to Choose partnership — you pay out of pocket
• Medication management is a separate ongoing cost
• Total cost including titration is often higher than Psychiatry-UK's private pathway
• In-person availability varies by location

Cost comparison: the full picture

The initial assessment fee doesn't tell the whole story. Here's what the full ADHD pathway costs with each provider:

| Stage | Psychiatry-UK (private) | Psychiatry-UK (RTC) | Clinical Partners | |-------|------------------------|--------------------|--------------------| | Initial assessment | £360-580 | Free | From £300 | | Titration (3-6 months) | From £360 | Free | From £450 (3x £150) | | Shared care transfer | Included | Included | From £150 | | Total to stable medication | £720-940 | Free | £900-1,500 |

If you qualify for Right to Choose, Psychiatry-UK is the clear winner on cost. For private-pay patients, the total cost is broadly similar, though the breakdown differs.

When to choose Psychiatry-UK

• You want a free assessment — NHS Right to Choose makes this possible, with a 6-12 month wait
• You're comfortable with online-only — all appointments are via video call
• Your main concern is ADHD — they are ADHD specialists with deep experience
• You want medication titration included — especially via the RTC route
• Budget is the primary factor — free via RTC, or competitive private fees

When to choose Clinical Partners

• You want an in-person assessment — they have clinics across the UK
• You need a fast private appointment — bookable within 1-2 weeks
• You want to assess for multiple conditions — they cover the full psychiatric spectrum in one service
• You prefer a broader clinical team — psychologists and therapists alongside psychiatrists
• You want ongoing therapy as well as medication — integrated therapy and psychiatry

Other providers to consider

• ADHD 360 — from £595, online only, good reputation but no NHS RTC
• ADHD Centre — from £600, London clinic plus online
• Independent psychiatrist — from £250, find via the Royal College of Psychiatrists directory. Often the cheapest option but you need to arrange your own shared care.

The verdict

Choose Psychiatry-UK if you can wait 6-12 months and want a free NHS-funded assessment. The Right to Choose route is the best deal in UK mental healthcare — a full ADHD assessment and medication titration at no cost.

Choose Clinical Partners if you want speed, in-person options, or assessment for multiple conditions. You'll pay more, but you'll be seen within 1-2 weeks and have access to clinics rather than video-only.

For most people on a budget who suspect they have ADHD, the optimal approach is to request a Right to Choose referral to Psychiatry-UK through your GP. If the wait is unacceptable, Clinical Partners or an independent psychiatrist offer faster private alternatives.