Wales guide · Updated June 2026
ADHD & Autism Assessment in Wales
NHS Right to Choose does not apply in Wales, but there are clear paths to assessment through your Local Health Board or privately. This guide covers all six health boards, wait times, Welsh-language provision, and private alternatives.
NHS Right to Choose does not apply in Wales. The policy is England-only. All Welsh NHS assessment goes through Local Health Board pathways. Private assessment is available without a referral at most providers.
Your assessment routes in Wales
NHS Local Health Board pathway
Referral from GP. Waits vary by board. Standard route for all patients in Wales.
Private assessment
No GP referral required at most providers. Clinics in Cardiff and Swansea; online providers serve the whole of Wales.
NHS wait times by Local Health Board
These are indicative estimates based on reported data. Waits change — ask your GP for the current position at your board when making a referral request.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan
18–36 months
est. ADHD wait
Adult neurodevelopmental service available. South Wales clinics. Largest urban population centre.
Swansea Bay University Health Board
Swansea, Neath Port Talbot
18–36 months
est. ADHD wait
Adult ADHD and neurodevelopmental services via community mental health team referrals.
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, Bridgend
24–48 months
est. ADHD wait
Historically among the longest waits in Wales. Private assessment is the main practical alternative.
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
North Wales (Wrexham, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Conwy, Anglesey, Denbighshire)
24–60 months
est. ADHD wait
Largest LHB in Wales by geography. Very long waits reported, particularly in rural areas. Welsh-language assessment available from some services.
Hywel Dda University Health Board
Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire
24–48 months
est. ADHD wait
Rural board with significant waits. Private options in Carmarthen and online providers serve the area.
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Newport, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Torfaen
18–36 months
est. ADHD wait
Serves south-east Wales corridor near the English border. Some patients access providers in Bristol via private routes.
Welsh-language assessment
The Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 requires NHS bodies in Wales to treat Welsh and English equally. In practice, Welsh-language ADHD and autism assessments are available from some NHS services — particularly in north Wales under Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. If you prefer to be assessed through Welsh, ask your GP to flag this when making the referral. A small number of private providers also offer Welsh-medium assessments — ask specifically when enquiring.
Private assessment in Wales
Private neurodevelopmental clinics operate in Cardiff and Swansea, and several online providers serve the whole of Wales. Private providers in Wales are regulated by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW). Look for HIW registration when choosing a clinic.
Some patients in south-east Wales and the Valleys access private providers in Bristol (England), which are regulated by the CQC.
After a private diagnosis, you may ask your NHS GP to prescribe medication under a shared care arrangement, though not all Welsh GP practices accept this. Check with your practice before committing to private assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Does NHS Right to Choose apply in Wales?
No. NHS Right to Choose is an England-only policy under the NHS Constitution. In Wales, neurodevelopmental assessment is through your Local Health Board. Private assessment is available without a GP referral at most providers.
How long is the wait for an ADHD assessment in Wales?
NHS waiting times in Wales vary by Local Health Board, from around 18 months at Cardiff and Vale to over four years at Betsi Cadwaladr and Cwm Taf Morgannwg. Private assessment is typically available within 2–6 weeks.
Are Welsh-language autism and ADHD assessments available?
Some NHS services and a small number of private providers offer Welsh-language assessments. Ask specifically when requesting a referral or enquiring with private providers. Betsi Cadwaladr in north Wales has Welsh-medium provision in some services.
Is a private diagnosis accepted in Wales?
A diagnosis from a HIW-registered private provider (or CQC-registered provider in England) is clinically valid and should be accepted by NHS Wales for treatment purposes. Some GP practices in Wales decline shared care prescribing from private providers.
Find providers near you in Wales
Enter your Welsh postcode to find private ADHD and autism assessment providers near you.
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