Your Pathways Explained
Adults seeking an ADHD assessment in Berkshire must be registered with a local GP. NHS referrals are managed by Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BHFT), not to be confused with the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. Self-referral is not available for adults; your GP must refer you.
As of December 2025, BHFT has temporarily closed to new adult ADHD referrals while it redesigns its service. There is currently no fixed date for when referrals will reopen. If you are already on the BHFT waiting list, your position is preserved and you do not need to take any action.
Alternative Assessment Routes
For adults in Berkshire who are not yet on the BHFT waiting list, the NHS Right to Choose pathway is currently the most accessible route to an NHS-funded assessment. Right to Choose allows you to request assessment by a different NHS-contracted clinic in England. See our Toolkits and Guides section for step-by-step instructions on how to apply.
Private ADHD assessments are also available. Before booking, you must confirm that your GP will accept a Shared Care Agreement, this determines whether you can access NHS prescriptions for medication if diagnosed privately. Be aware that some Berkshire GP surgeries are currently declining shared care arrangements for private and Right to Choose patients. Check with your surgery before committing to a private assessment.
Assessment and Diagnosis
ADHD assessments are carried out by psychiatrists, clinical nurse specialists, or prescribing pharmacists. Clinicians will explore your full life history and assess symptoms across different areas of life, from childhood to adulthood. Assessments can take up to three hours. It can help to bring someone who knew you as a child. All ADHD diagnoses, NHS, Right to Choose, or private
must follow NICE guidelines on ADHD diagnosis and management.
Treatment and Shared Care
If medication is recommended, it will be initiated by a specialist and can then be transferred to your GP through a Shared Care Agreement. Annual reviews are required to monitor safety and effectiveness. Note that BHFT’s current focus during the referral pause is clearing a backlog of overdue medication reviews.
Support Beyond Medication
- NHS Talking Therapies Berkshire: for emotional wellbeing and coping strategies
- Access to Work: for workplace adjustments and funding
List of resources
| NHS Talking Therapies Berkshire | https://talkingtherapies.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ |
| Access to Work | https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply |
| Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust ADHD Service | BHNFT ADHD Services |
Reading ADHD Group 