Right to Choose (NHS England)
Latest Right To Choose Providers wait times click here to scroll down.
Introduction
If you are based in England under the NHS you now have a legal right to choose your mental healthcare provider and your choice of mental healthcare team. This important right means that, for instance, should you decide the waiting time for your ADHD assessment is too long, then you can choose alternative providers. The provider must supply the service to the NHS somewhere in England. The providers we are aware of are listed below and we update the list regularly.
Right to Choose within mental health is a relatively new option (since 2018) and as such, not all patients, GPs or other clinicians are aware of it and how it works. We’ve got an explanation targeted for people going through the ADHD Assessment process below.
For how Right to Choose fits into the diagnosis pathway please click here. We’ve also got a downloadable support letter for anyone who finds their GP has initially declined them.
You will also find significant amounts of information via the NHS link on NHS choices below:
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-the-nhs/your-choices-in-the-nhs/
Read the adult diagnosis pathway first
This is a detailed page on Right to Choose which aims to provide additional information for those that need it. To understand the context and use of Right to Choose it is important to read the Adult Diagnosis Pathway page first.
The Right to Choose System
Patients have the Right to Choose when the following conditions are met:
- the NHS practice is in England (different rules apply for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)
- the General Practitioner has agreed to make clinically appropriate outpatient referral (Of note: The decision to make a referral is the GPs responsibility and separate from Right to Choose. Right to Choose is a patient’s right to decide where that referral is to
The above is designed to be wide ranging in its application to patient choice. However. there are certain restrictions on a patient’s Right to Choose that you should be aware of. Patients cannot use Right to Choose is they are:
- already receiving mental health care following an elective referral for the same condition
- referred to a service that is commissioned by a local authority, for example a drug and alcohol service (unless commissioned under a Section 75 agreement)
- accessing urgent or emergency (crisis) care
- accessing services delivered through a primary care contract
- in high secure psychiatric services
- detained under the Mental Health Act 1983
- detained in a secure setting. This includes people in or on temporary release from prisons, courts, secure children’s homes, certain secure training centres, immigration removal centres or young offender institutions
- serving as a member of the armed forces (family members in England have the same rights as other residents of England.
There are restrictions on who the patient can direct their care to. Patients cannot refer to just any provider. The provider must:
- have a commissioning contract with any Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) or NHS England for the required service
- have the service and team led by a consultant or a mental healthcare professional
Common GP queries include:
- does an IFR (Individual Funding Request) need to be in place? It does not
- does the CCG need to be asked permission? It does not
For the avoidance of any doubt: It is our clear understanding, and we know of hundreds who have done so, that an ADHD Assessment falls under Right to Choose.
As a charity we are passionate about helping those with ADHD. We are aware of many long waiting lists within the NHS and therefore will direct people to Right to Choose. If you think it would help, we are also happy to mediate and advocate for those patients where their Right to Choose is being discussed. If you would like to get in touch please contact us.
Right to Choose Providers – ADHD Assessments
We are aware of the following Right to Choose providers. If you are aware of any more then please let us know. To be notified of new providers as we learn about them please join our mailing list.
Summary Table (Scroll down for details)
Quick view summary in the table. Full details from each provider, and links to them, are then below.
No new referrals accepted
(12-18 months)
(18-24 momths)
(Where clinically appropriate)
Has self-pay/private option.
Some providers have a secondary medication queue.
Accepting new referrals:
Adult ADHD Diagnostic Assessment and Treatment Service based in North-West London . They offer Right-to-Choose both face-to-face and virtual appointments for ADHD Assessment and Treatment.
From Harrow Health: “Diagnostic assessment is by one of our experienced ADHD Consultant Psychiatrists.
Once diagnosed, you will receive advice on the proposed treatment plan. If that includes medication, and you agree, you will usually receive your first prescription at the end of your diagnostic appointment with no wait time. We utilise an Electronic Prescribing System (EPS) so we can send the prescription directly to your local pharmacy closest to you with the right medication. Medication titration will be carried out by one of our highly trained and experienced ADHD Nurses or Pharmacists. They will provide the required number of follow-up appointments to achieve stabilisation.
Once stable, patients will aim to enter into a shared care agreement where we will support your GP in their care plan. You will always be seen by a consultant psychiatrist to ensure your medication regime is optimised before a shared care proposal is sent to your GP”.
How to refer? Your GP can refer you to our service via Patient Choice using the Electronic Referral System. This is a wholly NHS service and therefore no provision to provide private patient appointments.”
Note: Harrow Health solely offer adult ADHD assessment. They do not offer Autism assessments. They do not offer any Child Assessments.
September 2024 Update: They are open for Right to Choose bookings. We are being told the wait time is the following:
- Right to Choose (RTC) from referral received to assessment: 4-6 weeks.
- Link to Harrow Heath’s Right to Choose Information
NEW RTC PROVIDER
For up-to-date waiting time information, please contact 0203 989 6766 choosing option 3, or email – harhl.adhd@nhs.net
You can ask your GP to refer to us via e-RS (Electronic referral system) in the first instance or they can email us a referral to harhl.adhd@nhs.net
ADHD 360 provide both Right to Choose and Private ADHD Assessments. They started providing their Right to Choose service in mid-2021.
September 2024 Update: They are open for Right to Choose bookings. We are being told the wait time is the following:
- Private adult wait time: 4 weeks
- Private child wait time: 8 weeks
- NHS: 1-4 weeks (contracted activity)
- Right to Choose (RTC) from referral received to assessment: 24 weeks
Dr J and Colleagues provide both Right to Choose and Private ADHD and Autism Assessments. They are a small provider and tell us that means they can work through the funding provision from the NHS particularly quickly.
September 2024 Update: We are currently accepting Right to Choose bookings for both ADHD and ASD assessments and treatments, with an estimated waiting time of 8 to 12 weeks for either service.
We provide children ADHD assessment and medication titration treatment privately only. We also provide child Autism assessment privately only.
ProblemShared is a practitioner-led, CQC-regulated online mind health provider, working with a community of expert practitioners to broaden access to the highest quality care for people across the UK. Their assessments are strength-based and person-centred, and they are the only right to choose provider to offer a neurodevelopmental service that includes psychoeducation workshops as part of their post-diagnostic care.
Under Right to Choose, ProblemShared offers:
Assessments:
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ADHD and autism assessments for adults aged 18+. Our current wait list times for both pathways are 12-24 weeks. Â
Post-diagnostic care including:Â
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Group psychoeducation workshops, which are a space for newly diagnosed clients to learn more about their diagnosis.Â
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ADHD medication where appropriate.Â
ProblemShared’s digital referral process is quick and efficient for both you and your GPs to use. They also provide a downloadable GP letter.  For referral information please visit: Right To Choose England (problemshared.net). 
July 2024 Update: Their wait time is estimated to be 12-24 weeks.
Psicon offers Right to Choose Autism and ADHD assessments (as well as ADHD treatment for children and young people following a Psicon assessment). Psicon do not currently provide right to choose assessments for adults.Â
September 2024 Update:
Children and Young People (Under 18 years):
Wait times are always subject to change due to demand, but the current wait for an assessment is approximately 6-9 months (26-40 weeks).
- Autism assessment: Assessments available for children aged 3-18 years. They offer in-person assessments in Basingstoke, Hampshire. They can accept referrals from anywhere in England if families are willing to travel. They do not provide online only autism assessments.
- ADHD assessment & treatment (titration): Available for children aged 6-18 years. Â Assessments are available in person in Basingstoke, Hampshire or online if the child/young person is deemed to be clinically suitable following triage. Note that we do not currently have a waiting list for titration following diagnosis.
Visit Right to Choose UK | NHS Referral Process | Psicon for more information.
Clinical Partners provide both Right to Choose and Private ADHD and Autism Assessments.
It is important to note that Clinical Partners provide an ADHD Assessment Service but they do not offer a medication titration service.
This is, therefore a great fit for individuals who want an ADHD Assessment but know that medication isn’t something they want to pursue.
To those thinking about the option for an Assessment with Clinical Partners and tirtration/medication elsewhere you need to be aware that we are not aware of any NHS Right to Choose providers, or private providers, who offer a titration only service. We only know of providers who require undertaking their own Assessment prior to offering titration as an option.
September 2024 Update: The current waiting times for adult ADHD assessments for patients who submitted referrals after 1st April 2024 is approximately 30 – 44 weeks, roughly equivalent to seven to ten months.
For autism assessments, the waiting time is also between 30 and 44 weeks.
For children and young people’s ADHD assessments, they are not currently accepting new referrals. They ask that anyone with an existing referral contacts them directly on rtc@clinical-partners.co.uk or 0203 761 7029 for more information.
For up-to-date waiting time information, please contact 020 3761 7029, or email rtc@clinical–partners.co.uk
We do not currently offer medication titration. However, this is something we’re looking at introducing in the future
Oakdale Centre offer Right to Choose and Private Assessments for ADHD and Autism for both adults and children. Assessments are face to face only (in either Harrogate, Halifax or Leeds) but you do not need to be local. They do not offer an NHS medication option at this time. Medication is available privately until they can set up their NHS pathway. We do not have information on how long that will be.
Services:
Autism Assessments -Child (from 2 years) and Adult.
ADHD Assessments – Child (from 6 years) and Adult.
From the Oakdale Centre:
“Oakdale are very pleased to be an NHS contracted provider of ADHD, Autism and Combined / Dual (Autism and ADHD) assessments for both children and adults.Â
We can also offer privately self-funded assessments.
We have an experienced, multidisciplinary team and each assessment is carefully conducted by qualified practitioners in accordance with NICE guidelines.Â
We value the importance of face to face aspects to assessments and have clinics in Harrogate, Halifax and Leeds which clients would be required to attend at least once.
Oakdale understands the importance of diagnosis and values and embraces neurodiversity, recognising the unique strengths and challenges that come with neurodevelopmental differences.
We are actively working towards developing more diagnostic support services and now offer a self-funded option for ADHD Medication”.
September Update:Â
Current waiting list times for NHS funded assessments is approximately 12 – 18 months.
Evolve Psychology have two clinics based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire and Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They offer Right To Choose assessments for ADHD and Autism (or both as a combined neurodevelopmental assessment) for children/ young people up to the age of 19 who are in education. They do not have a Right to choose service for adults (although they do have a private adult service for ADHD and Autism Services). They can accept referrals England-wide. They prefer face to face assessments, but might be able to offer online assessments depending on individual circumstances if the team feel it would be appropriate.
September 2024 Update: They are at 18-24 months waiting time. Due to high demand, they are only able to take referrals for 0-19 year old but do take private and Insurance referrals for adults.
Psychiatry-uk.com. The largest provider of right to choose ADHD assessments in the UK. Their assessments are done by video call, which has become commonplace since the pandemic.  Psychiatry UK provide details on Right To Choose, including a downloadable letter to give your GP, here.
June 2024 Update: The current wait list for diagnosis for new adult patients is estimated to be between 12 and 18 months.
Paused or stopped taking new referrals:
Axia ASD are based in Chester and offer local physical and England-wide virtual assessment options under Right to Choose for adults only, and Private for adults and children. For Right To Choose, they provide diagnosis but do not take on medication or titration process, so it’s important to check with your GP or local mental health clinic that they can support the medication process if required.
July 2023 Update: As per their website, ADHD assessments are no longer offered since end of December 2021, only ASD for the time being.Â
In the event of a GP initially declining your Right to Choose
The vast majority of GPs understand Right to Choose and appreciate the need for many patients to use it to bypass long NHS waiting lists (we are campaigning against those). Within ADHD UK we’ve heard countless stories of GPs helping their patients with it and are grateful to them for doing so. In a very small number of cases we know of GPs initially refusing to allow a patient their Right to Choose. In the majority of these cases it has been due to a slight misunderstanding and not appreciating it was a patient right. To help people in that situation we have a downloadable letter for you to give your GP.
