At Emerald Urgent Care, we've partnered with AG & Co Health to provide a comprehensive, but efficient consultation and diagnostic process.

Yes. We offer a free 30-minute consultation, which can be booked through the website. Clients are able to book a consultation as soon as the next day, depending on availability.

This consultation is an opportunity to talk through your concerns, ask questions about the assessment process, and consider whether an ADHD assessment is the right next step.

An ADHD assessment helps us understand how a person’s attention, activity level, impulsivity, and emotional regulation present in everyday life over time.

The assessment looks at whether these patterns are present across different settings - such as home, school, work, or social environments - and whether they are causing difficulties and challenges in every day life.

Our assessments are led by experienced clinicians with specialist knowledge of ADHD and other neurodevelopmental differences. We bring together:

• the clinical interview
• developmental history
• questionnaire findings
• information from school, family, or other relevant settings where available
• clinical observation and professional judgement

A diagnosis is made only where the full clinical picture is consistent with ADHD and where the relevant diagnostic criteria are met.

Our ADHD assessments are carried out in line with NICE guidance NG87 and informed by the diagnostic criteria set out in the DSM-5, which is an international diagnostic manual.

In practice, this means we consider:

• whether the symptoms are consistent with ADHD
• whether they have been present over time
• whether they occur across more than one setting
• whether they are causing difficulties in everyday life.

For children, young people and adults, diagnosis is never based on a questionnaire alone. It is based on a full clinical assessment that brings together multiple sources of information.

Before the assessment appointment, you will be sent a comprehensive ADHD assessment pack to complete.

For children and young people, this may include information from:

• parents or carers
• school or college
• the child or young person, where appropriate

For adults, this may include information from:

• the person being assessed
• a family member or someone who knows them well

The pack will include validated screening and rating tools such as:

• Conners 3 questionnaires
• Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)
• other communication or developmental measures where clinically appropriate

These questionnaires form one part of the assessment and help us build a fuller picture of the individual across different environments.

The assessment is designed to build a detailed understanding of the individual as a whole person, not simply a list of symptoms.

We will usually explore areas such as:

• social development and relationships
• emotional wellbeing and emotional regulation
• attention, activity levels and impulsivity
• academic, educational or occupational functioning
• day-to-day organisation and independence
• strengths, differences and support needs
• family, developmental and personal history

In simple terms, the aim is to develop a rich, holistic understanding of the individual and how their difficulties present across everyday life.

The clinical assessment appointment usually takes around 2 to 3 hours.

This allows enough time for a detailed and holistic exploration of the person’s development, current presentation, strengths, challenges, and how any difficulties affect daily life across different settings.

If ADHD is diagnosed, an important first step is taking time to understand what the diagnosis means for the individual and the people around them.

ADHD is not a disease. It is a neurodevelopmental difference and part of neurodiversity. A diagnosis can help individuals, families, schools, and other professionals better understand the person’s experiences, strengths, and support needs.

Following diagnosis, we may discuss:

• how ADHD affects day-to-day life
• practical strategies and support
• how parents, carers, schools, or partners can better understand and respond to needs
• whether further interventions may be helpful
• whether to consider the possible role of medication, where clinically appropriate

Medication is not the only option, but for some people it can be an important part of helping them manage the demands of everyday life. This can be considered carefully after the assessment.

Yes. Following completion of the assessment, you will receive a detailed written report.

This report will explain:

• the information considered during the assessment
• the clinical reasoning used
• whether the diagnostic criteria were met
• how and why the conclusion was reached
• any recommendations for support, where appropriate

Yes. Assessments can usually be arranged either face-to-face or virtually, depending on your preference and clinical suitability.

This can be discussed during your free consultation.

The assessment is carried out by an experienced mental health clinician with extensive experience in NHS Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and in the assessment of neurodevelopmental conditions.

Our assessments are evidence-based, clinically thorough, and conducted in accordance with current NICE guidance and recognised diagnostic criteria.

Because organisations can have different requirements, if you need an assessment report for a particular purpose - such as education, workplace support, or onward medical care - it can be helpful to check in advance what documentation they require.