Frequently Asked Questions

No. You can self-refer directly by contacting us. No GP referral is required. That said, referrals can be helpful as they provide background information such as medication history and previous investigations. If you do have a referral letter, please include it when you get in touch.

A senior clinician reviews your enquiry to assess the most appropriate pathway for your needs. We aim to respond within 48 hours. Once we've reviewed your details, we'll arrange your appointment — typically within the same week.

We accept payment by bank transfer (BACS) or debit/credit card. Card payments incur a 3% processing fee. Payment must clear before your appointment. For full details, see our Appointments & Fees page.

Yes. Consultations can be invoiced directly to your insurer. Prior authorisation from your insurance provider is required before booking. Please note that insurers do not cover late cancellation or non-attendance charges — these remain the patient's responsibility.

All our fees are fixed and published in advance with no hidden costs. Pricing varies by service — for example, a psychiatric assessment is £425 and an ADHD assessment is £1,300. See our full fee schedule for details.

Yes. Consultations are available face-to-face at our Newcastle clinic or via secure video, depending on your needs and preference. The assessment process, report quality, and clinical standard are identical whether you attend in person or via telehealth.

An ADHD assessment is a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation conducted by a Consultant Psychiatrist. It includes a structured clinical interview, validated questionnaires, and a review of your developmental and behavioural history. The goal is to determine whether your symptoms meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD.

The assessment includes a detailed clinical interview using the DIVA-5 (Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults) — the gold-standard structured interview endorsed by NICE, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and UKAAN. Your Consultant Psychiatrist will also review standardised rating scales, relevant reports, and your developmental history.

The ADHD assessment appointment is 1 hour 30 minutes. The consultation is structured to cover the full clinical picture, including current symptoms, developmental history, physical health, and functional impact.

Yes. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that persists into adulthood for the majority of those diagnosed. Many adults receive their diagnosis later in life after recognising long-standing patterns of inattention, impulsivity, or restlessness.

Your Consultant Psychiatrist will discuss treatment options with you, which may include medication, behavioural strategies, or psychological support. A formal written report is provided within 10 working days, suitable for your GP, employer, or educational institution. If medication is recommended, you can begin treatment titration with us.

An ADHD assessment is £1,300, which includes the full clinical interview, DIVA-5, formal diagnostic report, and personalised care plan. There are no hidden costs.

Titration is the process of finding the right medication and dose for you. Treatment begins at a low starting dose, which is gradually increased in small increments based on your response, tolerance, and side effect profile. The goal is optimal symptom control with the fewest side effects. Titration typically takes 6 to 12 weeks.

Commonly prescribed options include stimulants (methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine) and non-stimulants (atomoxetine, guanfacine). The choice of medication is an individual clinical decision made by your Consultant Psychiatrist based on your symptoms, physical health, and preferences.

Many GPs will enter a shared care agreement to continue prescribing ADHD medication initiated privately. Our reports are specifically formatted to support shared care requests. We recommend discussing this with your GP before or after your assessment. For more, see our Ongoing & Shared Care page.

ADHD treatment follow-up appointments are £325 for 30 minutes, inclusive of the prescription fee. Patients with a previous ADHD diagnosis can book an initial 1-hour consultation with Dr Goel for £460 plus a £75 script fee.

Yes. If ADHD is not diagnosed, your Consultant Psychiatrist will discuss alternative explanations for your symptoms and recommend appropriate next steps — which may include further assessment, medication review, or specialist referrals.

Your session covers current symptoms and their impact on daily life, personal and family history, physical health, and current medications. Your Consultant Psychiatrist will discuss potential diagnoses, clinical formulation, and treatment recommendations — which may include medication, physical investigations, psychology referral, or allied health support.

Yes. Where clinically appropriate, your Consultant Psychiatrist can review existing medication plans or recommend a new plan. Physical health needs are always considered. Ongoing prescribing is available via shared care with your GP or directly through our practice.

For many patients, yes. Every consultation is structured to be as complete as possible — covering diagnosis, medication, and psychological recommendations in one session. Follow-up appointments are available where clinically indicated, at your discretion.

Our Consultant Psychiatrists have specialist expertise across adult mental health including depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar affective disorder, PTSD and complex PTSD, personality disorders, and medically unexplained symptoms. If you are unsure whether your presentation is suitable, contact us and a senior clinician will advise.

Your formal clinical report will be ready within one week of your consultation. It can be shared with your GP, employer, or other professionals at your discretion and is suitable for onward referral where needed.

A psychiatric consultation is £425. Follow-up appointments of up to 30 minutes are £225. Payment is accepted via bank transfer or online card payment.

A medico-legal psychiatric report is a formal clinical document prepared by an independent Consultant Psychiatrist for use in legal proceedings. It provides an expert psychiatric opinion on matters such as diagnosis, causation, prognosis, and the impact of a condition on an individual's functioning.

We accept instructions across a broad range of civil and criminal matters where an independent psychiatric opinion is required. This includes personal injury, employment tribunal, family court, criminal proceedings, and insurance-related assessments. Contact us with details of your case and we will confirm whether it falls within our clinical expertise.

All medico-legal reports are prepared personally by a Consultant Psychiatrist on the GMC Specialist Register. Dr Vishaal Goel (GMC No. 4767963) and Dr Ed Fearnley (GMC No. 7495510) both hold NHS Consultant appointments and have experience in complex psychiatric presentations relevant to medico-legal work.

Medico-legal services are billed at £175 per 30 minutes. Fees for individual instructions vary depending on case complexity and the volume of documentation to review. Contact us directly for a fee estimate specific to your instruction.

Yes. We can provide addendum reports in response to questions raised following the initial report, and are available for joint expert discussions where required. Attendance at court or tribunal can be arranged — please discuss this at the point of instruction.

Turnaround times vary depending on case complexity, the volume of records to review, and current instruction load. An indicative timeframe will be confirmed and agreed at the point of instruction.

All consultations are fully confidential in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR. Information is only shared with your explicit consent, by court order, or where there is a clear risk of harm to yourself or others. We comply with GMC standards for information governance and patient data handling. Any statutory reporting obligations are discussed with you in advance.