Right to Choose

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What is Right to Choose?
In England, under the NHS, you now have a legal right to choose your mental healthcare provider, including for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) assessments. This service, offered through the NHS, is free of charge.

Introduction to Right to Choose Referrals
Did you know that NHS patients have the legal right to select their mental healthcare provider? This important right allows you to explore alternative providers if the waiting time for an ADHD or ASD assessment is too long. Right to Choose, introduced in 2018, is still a relatively new system, and many patients may not be aware of these options.

Who Can Offer Right to Choose Assessments?
Several clinics across the UK offer Right to Choose ADHD and/or ASD assessments. To be eligible to provide this service, clinics must also offer the same service to the NHS in England. Private-only clinics are not eligible. Checking a provider’s website is a good way to determine if they offer the services you need.

Which Providers Offer Right to Choose Assessments?
The list of clinics offering Right to Choose assessments is constantly evolving. Currently, several clinics are available, but there may be other providers worth researching as well.

Important Resources

Things to Consider About Right to Choose
It’s important to note that many clinics offering these assessments can diagnose ADHD or ASD but may not provide medication titration. This means you might need a local NHS referral if medication is required to manage symptoms.

When Can You Not Use Right to Choose?
There are certain restrictions on eligibility for Right to Choose referrals. You are not eligible if:

  • You require urgent or emergency treatment.
  • You are already receiving care for the condition you are seeking an assessment for.
  • The provider you choose cannot provide appropriate care for your condition.
  • You are a prisoner or in specific secure settings such as a secure hospital or under the Mental Health Act.
  • You are a serving member of the armed forces.

How do I ask for a right to choose referral?
You will need to research and decide which provider to choose. Your GP cannot advise on which clinic to select. After making your choice, please complete the below form and provide as much information as needed. The Practice will also request that any forms required by the provider are completed and provided to the Practice. This can be done in person by handing them to reception or by email. Please contact the Practice for the email.

How Much Quicker Will Right to Choose Be?
The speed of the assessment depends on your chosen clinic and whether they offer medication titration. Generally, Right to Choose assessments can take anywhere from 12 weeks to 12 months—much quicker than the local NHS alternatives, which have waiting times of up to 7 years. If a clinic offers a diagnosis but not medication titration, you may need an additional referral for post-diagnostic support, which can take up to 24 months locally. Please note that Practice may not take over prescribing as we do not engage in shared care agreement with Right to Choose providers. We would therefore advise that patients choose a provider that provides ongoing medication prescriptions, not just initiation. However, should you request to continue ADHD medication, the Practice would refer you to NHS ADHD clinics for medication management.

Why Choose Right to Choose If Medication May Not Be Easily Accessible?
Many patients find that a diagnosis is sufficient for obtaining additional support from schools or employers, or they may not need medication at all for managing their conditions.

Further Questions?
If you have additional questions, a simple call to the Practice may provide answers. For further research, here are some helpful resources:

Information on ADHD

You can collect a Right to Choose Referral Request form from the surgery reception or download and print a form from this link:  Referral Request form Download (PDF).