SLM GP & Gold Standard Psychological Assessments Partnership
SLM GP has teamed up with Gold Standard Psychological Assessments — a specialist ADHD, autism and AuDHD service with a clinic in Liverpool.
Waiting for an ADHD or autism assessment has become one of the more difficult experiences in current healthcare. Waits are often significant across much of the country. For adults who have spent a long time wondering why certain things feel harder than they appear to be for others, and for parents watching a child struggle at school, that timescale is a genuine problem.
About Gold Standard Psychological Assessments
Gold Standard Psychological Assessments assesses autism, ADHD and AuDHD in children, adolescents and adults. They have a clinic in Liverpool and offer assessment in person or online.
Aspects of their approach relevant to patients considering assessment:
Pathways aligned with NICE guidance, using recognised diagnostic frameworks rather than brief screening tools.
Multi-disciplinary follow-up, including psychiatry, speech and language therapy, psychotherapy and neurodiversity coaching.
Fees published in full, with the initial consultation fee deducted from the final bill.
Where a GP consultation fits in
A GP referral is not a requirement for private assessment. Some people approach an assessment service directly, and that is a reasonable choice. There are, however, several practical reasons why a GP consultation is a useful starting point.
An assessment represents a significant commitment of time and cost. A clinical conversation beforehand — covering how long symptoms have been present, their effect on work, study, relationships and daily function, what has already been tried, and what you are hoping an assessment will clarify — helps establish whether it is the appropriate route.
Where an ADHD diagnosis leads to medication, physical checks are needed: blood pressure, heart rate, height and weight, cardiac and family history, and an ECG where clinically indicated. Medication suits most people, but not everyone, and this is better established before treatment begins than after.
ADHD medication is normally started and titrated by a specialist. Once a stable dose is reached, ongoing prescribing and routine monitoring — blood pressure, heart rate, weight, and periodic review of effectiveness and side effects — is commonly transferred to a GP under a shared care agreement. This is a formal arrangement in which the specialist retains responsibility for the diagnosis and treatment plan while the GP takes on repeat prescribing and monitoring.
Shared care is the usual long-term model for ADHD treatment, and it works well when it is in place. Two things are worth knowing:
Shared care is voluntary. An NHS practice is entitled to decline it, and many currently do so for privately obtained diagnoses. The position varies considerably between practices and areas. Where shared care is not available, ongoing prescribing and monitoring continues privately, with the associated ongoing cost.
Having GP involvement from the beginning means these questions are discussed at the outset rather than after an assessment has been paid for. SLM GP can provide ongoing monitoring and continuity where that is the route taken, and can support conversations with an NHS practice about shared care.
Continuity through the process
Assessment reports are detailed, and their recommendations often need translating into what they mean for a particular job, course of study or family situation. A GP who knows the history before, during and after means the report is not left as a document without a next step — and it avoids repeating the same account to a succession of unfamiliar clinicians.
Appointment availability
SLM GP runs in-person clinics on Fridays and Saturdays, with remote evening clinics Monday to Thursday from 6pm. That allows an initial consultation without taking time off work or removing a child from school.
How the pathway works
Initial consultation at SLM GP. A conversation about what has been happening, with time to explain it properly.
Referral to Gold Standard Psychological Assessments, where appropriate. Costs and process are set out before anything is committed to.
Ongoing GP involvement. Including monitoring and, where applicable, discussion of shared care arrangements.
What an assessment involves
The format depends on the question being explored, but a thorough assessment typically includes a detailed clinical interview, structured questionnaires, a review of developmental history, and — where relevant and with consent — information from a parent, partner, school or someone who knows the person well.
The team brings together a counselling psychologist, psychotherapists, speech and language therapists and psychiatry, ensuring every assessment is informed by a full and considered clinical picture rather than a single professional viewpoint. The practice also provides ongoing support through psychological therapies, speech and language therapy and psychotherapy, so clients can access appropriate follow-on care once an assessment is complete rather than being left without a next step. In addition, a free therapy service is offered by a trainee counsellor working under clinical supervision, making support more accessible for those who may not otherwise be able to access it.
Gold Standard Psychological Assessments offers both in-person and remote assessments and therapy, with clinics based in Manchester, Liverpool, London and Berkshire – supporting families and individuals across the UK regardless of location. At the core of the practice is a shared commitment to neuro-affirming, thorough and individualised care, recognising that no two autistic, ADHD or AuDHD profiles are the same.
The outcome is a written report explaining the findings in plain language, with practical recommendations for work, education, healthcare and daily life. An assessment should provide useful information whether or not it results in a diagnosis.
Arranging a consultation
If you would like to discuss whether an assessment is appropriate, or talk through what the pathway would involve, you can book an appointment with SLM GP.
153–155 Duke Street, Liverpool, L1 4JR 
general@slmgp.co.uk