Right to Choose Navigator
If you think you might have ADHD or autism, you have a legal right in England to choose who provides your NHS-funded assessment. This is called the Right to Choose, and it can dramatically shorten your wait from years to months.
This tool walks you through your options step by step. We will help you understand whether Right to Choose applies to you, how to talk to your GP, which providers to consider, and what to do if things do not go to plan.
No jargon, no overwhelm. Just clear, honest guidance from people who have been through this process ourselves.
A quick note
This tool provides general guidance based on publicly available NHS information. It is not medical or legal advice. Every situation is different, and NHS processes can change. Always confirm details with your GP or chosen provider.
Takes about 2 minutes · No data is collected or stored
What is NHS Right to Choose?
NHS Right to Choose is a legal right enshrined in the NHS Constitution that allows patients in England to choose which healthcare provider they are referred to for their first outpatient appointment. This right is established under Section 3a of the NHS Act 2006, as amended by Section 75 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012.
For people seeking ADHD or autism assessments, Right to Choose has become a vital pathway. NHS waiting lists for neurodevelopmental assessments can stretch to 2 to 5 years or longer in many parts of England. By exercising your Right to Choose, you can request your GP to refer you to an approved private provider who can assess you significantly faster — and the NHS covers the full cost of the assessment.
This means you pay nothing. The assessment is funded by your local Integrated Care Board (ICB), the NHS body responsible for commissioning healthcare in your region. You simply need your GP to agree that a referral is clinically appropriate, then you choose where to be seen.
How Right to Choose Works: Step by Step
- Research your options. Check which Right to Choose providers operate in your area and whether your ICB is currently accepting referrals. The ADHD UK ICB tracker is the most up-to-date resource for this. Look at provider waiting times, which conditions they assess, and read reviews from other patients.
- Complete a screening questionnaire. Fill in a validated ADHD screening tool such as the ASRS-v1.1 (Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale) or similar. This gives your GP objective evidence to support a referral. Write down specific examples of how symptoms affect your work, relationships, and daily functioning.
- Prepare a GP letter. Draft a clear letter for your GP that outlines your symptoms, their impact on your life, and your wish to exercise Right to Choose. Reference the relevant legislation. Our navigator tool above can generate a personalised letter template for you.
- Book a GP appointment. Request a longer appointment if possible — standard 10-minute slots are often not enough for this discussion. Bring your screening questionnaire results, your prepared letter, and any supporting evidence such as school reports or feedback from partners or family members.
- Choose your provider. Decide which approved provider you want to be referred to. Consider waiting times, the conditions they assess (ADHD, autism, or both), whether they cover your ICB area, and their approach to post-diagnosis care including medication titration and shared care agreements.
- Get referred. Your GP submits the referral to your chosen provider. Referral processes vary — some providers have online portals, others use standard NHS referral letters. You should receive confirmation from the provider within a few weeks, along with an estimated timeline for your assessment.
Right to Choose Providers for ADHD and Autism
Several private healthcare providers are approved to accept NHS Right to Choose referrals for ADHD and autism assessments. Each provider has different coverage areas, waiting times, and specialisations. The table below compares the main providers currently accepting Right to Choose referrals.
| Provider | Conditions Assessed | Coverage | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychiatry-UK | ADHD, Autism (adults & children) | England (most ICBs) | psychiatry-uk.com |
| Clinical Partners | ADHD, Autism, mental health | England (selected ICBs) | clinical-partners.co.uk |
| ADHD 360 | ADHD (adults & children) | England (selected ICBs) | adhd-360.com |
| ProblemShared | ADHD, Autism (adults & children) | England (selected ICBs) | problemshared.net |
| Psicon | ADHD, Autism (adults & children) | England (selected ICBs) | psicon.co.uk |
Provider availability and coverage areas change frequently. Always check directly with the provider and your ICB for the most current information. Waiting times vary and are subject to demand.
ICB Restrictions on Right to Choose
Since late 2024 and into 2025, a growing number of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) across England have introduced restrictions on Right to Choose referrals for ADHD assessments. Some ICBs have paused referrals entirely, citing budget constraints and unsustainable demand. Others have limited referrals to specific providers or capped the number of referrals they will fund each month.
These restrictions are legally contested. Right to Choose is a statutory right under the NHS Act 2006, and patient advocacy groups argue that ICBs cannot lawfully suspend it. NHS England has issued guidance stating that Right to Choose should be upheld, but enforcement has been inconsistent.
If your ICB has paused or restricted Right to Choose referrals, you have several options: contact your ICB directly to understand their current policy, write to your MP highlighting the issue, seek support from organisations like ADHD UK or the ADHD Foundation, or consider submitting a formal complaint through the NHS complaints procedure. The ADHD UK Right to Choose tracker maintains an up-to-date list of which ICBs are currently accepting referrals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NHS Right to Choose?
NHS Right to Choose is a legal right under the NHS Constitution (Section 3a of the NHS Act 2006, amended by Section 75 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012) that allows patients in England to choose which provider they are referred to for their first outpatient appointment. For ADHD and autism assessments, this means you can ask your GP to refer you to an approved private provider instead of the often lengthy NHS waiting list. The assessment is fully funded by the NHS — you pay nothing.
Does Right to Choose cost anything?
No, Right to Choose assessments are fully funded by the NHS. You do not pay anything for the assessment or diagnosis. The cost is covered by your local Integrated Care Board (ICB). However, it is worth noting that some providers may offer additional private services (such as expedited titration) at a cost, but the core diagnostic assessment through Right to Choose is always free at the point of use.
Can my GP refuse a Right to Choose referral?
Your GP should not refuse a Right to Choose referral. It is your legal right under the NHS Constitution. However, GPs can decline if they do not believe you meet the clinical threshold for a referral in the first place — this is different from refusing Right to Choose itself. If your GP refuses the referral, you can: ask them to document their refusal in writing with clinical reasons, request a second opinion from another GP at your practice, contact your ICB directly, or submit a formal complaint through the NHS complaints process. Many GPs are unfamiliar with Right to Choose, so bringing a printed letter or information sheet can help.
Does Right to Choose apply in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland?
No, NHS Right to Choose as defined by the NHS Act 2006 applies only in England. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have devolved healthcare systems with different rules. Scotland has its own patient choice framework, but it does not extend to choosing private providers for NHS-funded assessments in the same way. Wales and Northern Ireland have more limited patient choice options. However, residents of these nations can still pursue private ADHD or autism assessments at their own cost, or explore local NHS pathways which may have different waiting times.
What are ICB restrictions on Right to Choose?
Since late 2024 and into 2025, some Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) have introduced restrictions or paused Right to Choose referrals for ADHD assessments. This is often due to budget pressures and a surge in demand. Some ICBs have limited the providers they will fund, capped the number of referrals, or paused referrals entirely. These restrictions are legally contested, as Right to Choose is a statutory right. Organisations like ADHD UK maintain a tracker showing which ICBs are accepting referrals. If your ICB has paused referrals, you can challenge the decision, contact your MP, or seek support from patient advocacy organisations.
How long does a Right to Choose assessment take?
Waiting times for Right to Choose assessments vary significantly by provider and current demand. Historically, some providers offered assessments within 4 to 12 weeks. However, as demand has grown, wait times have increased and some providers now have waits of 3 to 12 months or more. This is still considerably shorter than many NHS waiting lists, which can be 2 to 5 years or longer in some areas. Wait times change frequently, so always check directly with your chosen provider for current estimates.
Can I use Right to Choose if I am already on an NHS waiting list?
In most cases, yes. If you are already on an NHS waiting list for ADHD or autism assessment, you can request to transfer to a Right to Choose provider. You would need to speak to your GP to arrange the new referral. However, some ICBs have introduced rules that prevent patients from switching once already on a waiting list. Check with your GP and ICB to understand the local policy. It is generally advisable to exercise Right to Choose as early as possible rather than joining an NHS waiting list first.
What happens after diagnosis through Right to Choose?
After receiving a diagnosis through a Right to Choose provider, the next steps typically involve:
- Medication titration — your Right to Choose provider will usually manage the initial medication trial period (titration), adjusting doses until an optimal balance is found. This typically takes 3 to 6 months.
- Shared care agreement — once your medication is stabilised, your provider will write to your GP requesting a shared care agreement. This means your GP takes over prescribing and monitoring your medication, with specialist oversight.
- Ongoing support — your GP continues to prescribe and monitor your medication. Some GPs may decline shared care agreements, though this is becoming less common. If your GP declines, you can request they reconsider, seek another GP, or continue with private prescriptions at your own cost.
Right to Choose by Country
England
Right to Choose is fully available in England under the NHS Act 2006. Patients can request referral to any qualified provider for their first outpatient appointment. This includes ADHD and autism diagnostic assessments. However, availability depends on your local ICB and whether they have active contracts with Right to Choose providers.
Scotland
Scotland has its own patient choice framework under NHS Scotland, but it does not replicate England's Right to Choose. Patients cannot request NHS-funded referrals to private providers in the same way. ADHD and autism assessment pathways vary by NHS Health Board. Waiting times differ across regions, and some Health Boards have invested in dedicated neurodevelopmental services. Patients can pursue private assessment at their own cost.
Wales
Wales does not have an equivalent to England's Right to Choose. NHS Wales operates under different legislation and commissioning structures. The Neurodevelopment Service in Wales (established by the Welsh Government) provides assessment pathways, but waiting times can be significant. The Welsh Government has been investing in improving neurodevelopmental services, but demand continues to outstrip capacity. Private assessment is available at the patient's own cost.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland does not have an equivalent to Right to Choose. Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland is managed through Health and Social Care Trusts, which operate differently from England's ICB system. Waiting times for ADHD and autism assessment in Northern Ireland can be among the longest in the UK. Patients can seek private assessment at their own cost, but there is no mechanism for NHS-funded referral to private providers.
Last updated: March 2026. NHS policies change frequently — always confirm details with your GP or chosen provider.