Diagnosed with ADHD in the UK, Now Living in Ireland

You had a diagnosis, a prescription that worked, and a doctor who knew your history. Then you moved to Ireland, and none of that automatically came with you. Your UK diagnosis does not disappear — but an Irish doctor cannot simply carry on your prescription from a letter alone. Here is what actually needs to happen next.

By Dr Shaeraine Raaj, MRCPsych, Consultant Psychiatrist. Last reviewed: 13 October 2026.

Is a UK ADHD diagnosis valid in Ireland?

Your UK diagnosis is real, and it happened. But prescribing medication in Ireland is a separate decision, made by a doctor registered to practise here who takes clinical responsibility for you going forward. In practice, that means an Irish-registered doctor needs to review your case directly before continuing or restarting your medication — not because the UK diagnosis is doubted, but because prescribing is a live clinical relationship between you and a doctor, not something that transfers on paper alone.

Is there an ADHD shared-care arrangement between the UK and Ireland?

Ireland does not have a widespread, statutory shared-care framework for ADHD medication of the kind sometimes used between a specialist and a GP within a single health system. In practice, this means someone moving to Ireland with an existing UK ADHD diagnosis usually needs a fresh clinical review by a prescribing psychiatrist here, rather than a straightforward handover of an existing prescription between the two systems.

Will an Irish GP prescribe ADHD medication from a UK diagnosis?

Generally, not directly from a UK letter alone. ADHD medication in Ireland is typically started and monitored by a psychiatrist. A GP may continue a prescription once it is stable and established, but usually stays involved alongside a psychiatrist rather than taking over the whole picture independently. If you arrive in Ireland already diagnosed and medicated, the practical first step is a review with a psychiatrist here — not a request to your new GP to simply repeat what a UK doctor wrote.

Will your UK medication be available in Ireland?

Some ADHD medications prescribed in the UK are not routinely available in Ireland, or are marketed differently here. A treating psychiatrist would review what you have been taking and, if needed, discuss the nearest available equivalent with you. This is a routine part of a transfer-of-care review, not a sign that anything was wrong with your original diagnosis or treatment. (We do not name specific medicines on this page — your psychiatrist will discuss the options that fit your situation directly with you.)

Can you keep an NHS prescription going once you have moved?

Some NHS prescribing routes are only available to patients registered with an NHS GP or service in the UK, which does not cover someone now living in Ireland. In practice, this usually means relying on an NHS prescription is not a stable long-term option after you relocate, even if a UK pharmacy has, in the short term, been able to dispense against a prescription written before you left.

What does a transfer-of-care review with MindBridge involve?

MindBridge offers an ADHD transfer of care service for adults already diagnosed elsewhere who want an Irish psychiatrist to take over their prescribing and ADHD care: €450, by video, with Dr Shaeraine Raaj (Irish Medical Council 409852, Specialist Division).

Bring what documentation you have — your original diagnostic report, any letters from your UK psychiatrist or GP, and a record of your current medication and dose. Once your care is transferred, ongoing reviews are priced at €150 or €200 depending on length, and repeat prescriptions at €40 each via secure HealthMail.

Not every transfer-of-care review results in the same treatment continuing unchanged — the reviewing psychiatrist makes an independent clinical judgement based on what they find. This page cannot tell you what that judgement will be.

Need help now? In an emergency call 999 or 112, or go to your nearest emergency department. Samaritans: call 116 123, free, 24 hours a day. Text About It: free-text HELLO to 50808, 24/7. More ways to get urgent help, on hse.ie

About this article

This article is general information. It is not medical or legal advice and it cannot tell you whether you have a condition. It does not replace an assessment by a qualified clinician, and reading it does not make you a patient of MindBridge Medical.

If you are worried about your health, speak to your GP or another registered clinician. In an emergency call 999 or 112, or go to your nearest emergency department.

Written by Dr Shaeraine Raaj, MRCPsych, Consultant Psychiatrist.

Medically reviewed by Dr Shaeraine Raaj, MRCPsych, Consultant Psychiatrist (Irish Medical Council 409852, Specialist Division). Reviewed 13 October 2026.

Last reviewed: 13 October 2026. How we review our content

Considering a transfer of care: ADHD transfer of care →

Is an Online ADHD Assessment Valid in Ireland?

More ADHD assessments now happen over video, and many people wonder whether that counts. In Ireland it does, as long as the right person carries it out in the right way. Here's what the Irish Medical Council's own rules say.

By Dr Shaeraine Raaj, MRCPsych, Consultant Psychiatrist. Last reviewed: 29 September 2026.

Is an online ADHD assessment legally valid in Ireland?

Yes. Nothing in Irish medical regulation says an assessment must happen in the same room as the clinician. What makes an assessment valid is who does it and how it is conducted — not whether it happens over video. The Irish Medical Council's own guidance says a doctor providing telemedicine "must observe the same standards of conduct and practice as would be expected if treating the patient in-person".

What makes an ADHD assessment valid, if not the format?

Three things, and none of them depend on being in the same room:

• Who does it. A psychiatrist registered with the Irish Medical Council, on the Specialist Division for psychiatry — not an unregulated coach, app, or quiz.

• How it is conducted. A structured clinical interview against a recognised diagnostic standard (DSM-5 criteria), not a symptom checklist alone.

• What comes out of it. A written diagnostic report a GP, employer, or DARE application can actually rely on — not just a verbal impression.

A video consultation with a registered consultant psychiatrist, run to that standard, is not a lesser version of an in-person assessment. It is the same assessment, delivered differently.

What does the Irish Medical Council say about telemedicine?

Paragraph 37.1 of its Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics states: "If you provide telemedicine services to patients, you must observe the same standards of conduct and practice as would be expected if treating the patient in-person". There is no separate, lower bar for a remote assessment — the same professional, ethical and legal obligations apply either way.

How do I check a clinician is actually registered?

Search the Irish Medical Council's public register at medicalcouncil.ie/public-information/check-the-register. Type the doctor's name and confirm the registration number matches what they publish. Dr Raaj's registration number, IMC 409852, is published on About us — check it against the register yourself rather than taking our word for it.

Does being online skip any safety steps?

No. If medication is clinically indicated, the same steps apply regardless of how the assessment happened: a GP cardiovascular check (blood pressure, heart rate, and an ECG if relevant) is still required before a stimulant is first prescribed, arranged with your own GP. Being seen by video does not remove a single one of the checks a registered psychiatrist would run in person — it changes where you sit for the appointment, not what the appointment has to cover.

How does MindBridge's online assessment work?

MindBridge's adult ADHD assessment is a consultant-psychiatrist-led video process: two pre-screening questionnaires, a 90-minute DIVA-5 structured interview under DSM-5 criteria, a results consultation, a written diagnostic report, and a letter to your GP. It follows the same HSE Model of Care framework the public system uses. See what a private ADHD assessment costs and where the public HSE route stands for the rest of the picture. To book, see ADHD assessment.

Need help now? In an emergency call 999 or 112, or go to your nearest emergency department. Samaritans: call 116 123, free, 24 hours a day. Text About It: free-text HELLO to 50808, 24/7. More ways to get urgent help, on hse.ie

About this article

This article is general information. It is not medical or legal advice and it cannot tell you whether you have a condition. It does not replace an assessment by a qualified clinician, and reading it does not make you a patient of MindBridge Medical.

If you are worried about your health, speak to your GP or another registered clinician. In an emergency call 999 or 112, or go to your nearest emergency department.

Written by Dr Shaeraine Raaj, MRCPsych, Consultant Psychiatrist.

Medically reviewed by Dr Shaeraine Raaj, MRCPsych, Consultant Psychiatrist (Irish Medical Council 409852, Specialist Division). Reviewed 29 September 2026.

Last reviewed: 29 September 2026. How we review our content

Considering an assessment: ADHD assessment →

Adult ADHD Services in Ireland: Where Things Stand

If you're an adult in Ireland who thinks you might have ADHD, the public route usually starts with your GP. This page explains how that route works, what the HSE adult ADHD service covers, and where a private assessment fits in.

By Dr Shaeraine Raaj, MRCPsych, Consultant Psychiatrist. Last reviewed: 29 September 2026.

How does the public adult ADHD pathway work in Ireland?

The first step is a GP referral to your local general adult community mental health team (CMHT), which assesses you for comorbid mental illness and screens for adult ADHD. Where clinical findings suggest a potential ADHD diagnosis, the CMHT refers you on to an HSE adult ADHD clinic. This is a public, GP-led route — no private clinic sits inside it.

Each HSE adult ADHD clinic sets its own criteria for who it accepts, and these vary by area. If you are unsure whether the service in your area is a fit, your GP is the person to ask.

How many public adult ADHD clinics are there in Ireland?

Dr Raaj's 2024 paper describes how the service was set up: funding was provided for three services in early 2021 and four more in 2022, with further funding requested to make the service available nationally. The number running today isn't confirmed, so your GP is the best person to ask about the service in your area.

Can I go private while I am on the HSE adult ADHD waiting list?

Yes. Being on a public list and being seen privately are not mutually exclusive, and choosing to see a private consultant does not affect your place on the public list. Going private is a choice, not a requirement — the public pathway above remains available to anyone who prefers it or cannot pay privately.

What happens if my HSE appointment comes through after I have already been assessed privately?

That is a decision for you. Some people keep the public appointment for a second opinion or for services the public system provides (such as ongoing multidisciplinary support); others cancel it once privately diagnosed and treated. Neither is right or wrong — this page does not advise one way or the other, and nothing here should be read as telling you what public capacity to use or release.

Does the HSE model of care cover more than medication?

Yes. The national model includes ADHD-specific medication and non-pharmacological interventions, both group and individual — medication is one part of the public model, not the whole of it.

Where does MindBridge fit alongside the public system?

MindBridge is a private, consultant-psychiatrist-led telepsychiatry service. It does not replace or compete with HSE adult ADHD clinics, and this page does not suggest the public route is unavailable or inadequate — only that it can take longer to reach an appointment, and that some people choose a private assessment for that reason. If you are already engaged with a public service and want a private opinion or faster access, ADHD assessment explains how MindBridge's process works; if you have already been diagnosed elsewhere and want ongoing prescribing, see ADHD transfer of care.

Need help now? In an emergency call 999 or 112, or go to your nearest emergency department. Samaritans: call 116 123, free, 24 hours a day. Text About It: free-text HELLO to 50808, 24/7. More ways to get urgent help, on hse.ie

About this article

This article is general information. It is not medical or legal advice and it cannot tell you whether you have a condition. It does not replace an assessment by a qualified clinician, and reading it does not make you a patient of MindBridge Medical. The public-service figures on this page are dated to the source cited; check with the HSE or your GP for the current position.

If you are worried about your health, speak to your GP or another registered clinician. In an emergency call 999 or 112, or go to your nearest emergency department.

Written by Dr Shaeraine Raaj, MRCPsych, Consultant Psychiatrist.

Medically reviewed by Dr Shaeraine Raaj, MRCPsych, Consultant Psychiatrist (Irish Medical Council 409852, Specialist Division). Reviewed 29 September 2026.

Last reviewed: 29 September 2026. How we review our content

Considering a private assessment: ADHD assessment →

What an ADHD Assessment Costs in Ireland

A private adult ADHD assessment in Ireland is usually priced as a single fee for the assessment itself. What it does not always show is what happens next — the follow-up reviews and repeat prescriptions that come after a diagnosis, if you need medication. This page itemises both: MindBridge's own €950 assessment fee, and an honest estimate of what a first year of care can add up to.

By Dr Shaeraine Raaj, MRCPsych, Consultant Psychiatrist. Last reviewed: 29 September 2026.

What does MindBridge's €950 assessment include?

The fee is all-inclusive: two pre-screening questionnaires, a 90-minute DIVA-5 structured interview, a results consultation, a written diagnostic report, a letter to your GP, and — if medication is clinically indicated — a first prescription. Nothing on top of the €950 is needed to reach a diagnosis and a treatment plan.

Not everyone who is assessed receives an ADHD diagnosis. The fee covers the assessment, not a particular result, and is not refunded if ADHD is not diagnosed. You still receive a written report explaining the findings, and if the assessment points to something else, we tell you and advise on the right next step.

What does a first year of ADHD care cost, beyond the assessment?

If medication is part of your treatment plan, three further items can apply, each priced separately from the €950:

• Review appointments, €150 (20 minutes) or €200 (30 minutes), used while a medication dose is being adjusted and then periodically once you are stable.

• Repeat prescriptions, €40 each, each covering three months, issued by secure HealthMail once your dose is settled.

• A GP cardiovascular check — blood pressure and heart rate, with an ECG if you or your family have a history of heart problems — arranged with your own GP before stimulant medication starts. MindBridge does not charge for this and does not set your GP's fee for it; ask your own practice what to expect.

Worked example, not a quote. One assessment (€950, including your first prescription) plus two to three review appointments while a dose is adjusted (€300–€450) plus three repeat prescriptions (€120) comes to about €1,370–€1,520 in year one, before any GP fee. Change the number of reviews you need and the total changes — that is deliberate: a single "from €X" headline hides more than it tells you.

If no medication is prescribed, or you choose not to take it, the €950 assessment fee may be the only cost.

Why do published fees for an ADHD assessment vary so much?

What a fee actually covers varies between providers. Some published fees are for the assessment interview only, with review appointments, repeat prescriptions, the written report or the psychiatric component priced separately and added afterwards. A fee that looks lower at first glance can end up costing about the same, or more, once those items are included.

Before booking anywhere, it is worth asking any clinic these four questions:

• Does the quoted fee include the written diagnostic report and a letter to my GP, or are those extra?

• If medication is indicated, is the first prescription included, or a separate charge?

• What does a follow-up review cost, and how many might I need in the first year?

• Is the assessment led by a psychiatrist who can prescribe, or a psychologist who would refer me elsewhere for medication?

MindBridge's own price never changes shape after booking: everything needed to reach a diagnosis and a treatment plan is inside the €950, and the three items above (reviews, repeat prescriptions, the GP cardiovascular check) are the only things ever priced separately, each shown on this page.

Ways to spread or reduce the cost

• Klarna. Pay in 3 instalments via Stripe, arranged at /klarna.

• Health insurance. Laya Healthcare and VHI recognise Dr Raaj; whether your policy covers an ADHD assessment depends on your plan. See Health insurance and an ADHD assessment.

• Tax relief. Some or all of the €950 may qualify for Revenue tax relief on medical expenses. See Tax relief on an ADHD assessment.

Need help now? In an emergency call 999 or 112, or go to your nearest emergency department. Samaritans: call 116 123, free, 24 hours a day. Text About It: free-text HELLO to 50808, 24/7. More ways to get urgent help, on hse.ie

About this article

This article is general information. It is not medical or legal advice and it cannot tell you whether you have a condition. It does not replace an assessment by a qualified clinician, and reading it does not make you a patient of MindBridge Medical. Prices are correct as at the review date below; check /services for the current fee.

If you are worried about your health, speak to your GP or another registered clinician. In an emergency call 999 or 112, or go to your nearest emergency department.

Written by Dr Shaeraine Raaj, MRCPsych, Consultant Psychiatrist.

Medically reviewed by Dr Shaeraine Raaj, MRCPsych, Consultant Psychiatrist (Irish Medical Council 409852, Specialist Division). Reviewed 29 September 2026.

Last reviewed: 29 September 2026. How we review our content

Considering an assessment: ADHD assessment →