Zaid Bux, a 24-year-old from Blackburn who graduated from the University of Central Lancashire, has created a free-to-use ADHD platform after seeing patients struggle to access NHS assessments.

He said the idea for ADHD Gateway came after years of conversations with patients and members of the public who felt they had only two options if they wanted an ADHD assessment: remain on lengthy NHS waiting lists or pay privately.

Demand for ADHD assessments has risen sharply in recent years, with estimates suggesting hundreds of thousands of people across England are awaiting evaluation.

Bux said: “Every week, I was speaking to people who thought they had two options: wait years or somehow find the money to pay privately.

“What surprised me most was how many people had never heard of Right to Choose.

“Even those who had often did not know where to start or what paperwork they needed.”

He then decided to build a platform that could guide people through the referral process from start to finish.

Despite having no professional background in software development, Bux taught himself to build the platform while continuing to work full-time as a pharmacist.

Some users have said they were able to access assessments sooner than expected after using the platform to prepare their referral, although waiting times vary depending on the provider selected and local NHS arrangements.

He said: “The emails are honestly the most rewarding part.

“I’ve had people tell me they finally understood what Right to Choose was after believing private healthcare was their only option.

“Others have shared that they received an assessment much sooner than they expected after using the platform.

“Knowing that something which started here in Preston is helping people across England understand their NHS options makes all the hard work worthwhile.”

Bux’s aim has never been to “replace the NHS” or steer people toward a particular route.

He said: “The site is simply to make sure people understand all of the NHS-funded options available to them before they assume they have to wait years or pay privately.

“If ADHD Gateway helps people make informed decisions and makes the process easier for patients and GP practices alike, then I’ve achieved exactly what I set out to do.”