If you’ve been waiting months for an NHS ADHD or autism assessment, there’s a legal route that might move things along faster. The NHS Right to Choose framework lets you ask your GP to refer you to a provider outside your local area — and your local NHS budget has to cover it.
Applies to: England NHS patients · Legal basis: Patient choice framework · Covers: Clinically appropriate treatments · GP role: Must refer if requested · Providers example: Psychiatry-UK, ADHD 360
Quick snapshot
- England NHS patients have a legal right to choose their outpatient provider (Hants IOW ICB)
- RTC covers ADHD and autism assessments for first outpatient appointments (Sussex ICS)
- The service is free — NHS-funded throughout (Ashlea Medical Practice)
- Exact national start date of RTC for ADHD/autism referrals
- Current wait times for all major providers as of 2026
- ICB funding allocations per region for 2026
- RTC usage surged over the last two years (Hants IOW ICB)
- Indicative Activity Plans (IAPs) introduced in 2025/26 boosted enquiries further (Hants IOW ICB)
- Discuss RTC option with your GP — name a specific provider
- GP submits referral via e-Referral Service if clinically appropriate
- Provider contacts you to book initial appointment
The following table summarises key policy parameters for the NHS Right to Choose pathway.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Policy name | NHS Right to Choose |
| Geographic scope | England only |
| Eligible services | Mental health including ADHD/autism assessments |
| Key providers | Psychiatry UK, ADHD 360, RTN Mental Health, ProblemShared |
| Eligibility requirement | Registered with an English GP |
| First appointment scope | Outpatient only — not urgent care or ongoing treatment |
| NICE compliance | All providers must follow NICE guidelines |
| Cost | Free via NHS funding |
What does the right to choose mean in NHS?
The NHS Right to Choose (RTC) pathway gives patients in England a legal entitlement to select an NHS-approved provider for their first outpatient appointment — including assessments for ADHD and autism. This isn’t a loophole or a special request; it’s built into the NHS choice framework, and your local Integrated Care Board (ICB) has to fund it.
“It gives patients the legal right to select an NHS-approved provider for their first outpatient appointment, including assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.” — Hants IOW ICB
Legal basis
- Your GP must refer you to a qualified provider if you ask and the referral is clinically appropriate (ADD.org)
- No additional sign-off from the ICB or Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is required beyond your GP agreeing the referral is warranted
- The provider must hold an NHS or CCG contract and operate according to NICE guidelines
What it covers
RTC covers first outpatient appointments for ADHD and autism assessments. It does not apply to urgent or emergency care, and it does not apply if you are already receiving treatment for the same condition. Self-referrals directly to providers are also not permitted — the referral must come through your GP.
“Under the NHS Right to Choose scheme, patients in England referred by their GP for an ADHD or autism assessment have the legal right to choose a provider to oversee their care.” — ProblemShared RTC Provider
You have the legal right to choose where you have your NHS treatment. The NHS Choice Framework details exactly when this right applies and what exceptions exist.
Upsides
- Access providers with shorter local waiting lists
- Choose a specialist with specific expertise in ADHD or autism
- Free at point of use — NHS-funded
- GP handles the referral paperwork
Downsides
- Not available in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland
- Some providers have funding caps by ICB
- Travel may be required if provider is distant
- GP can refuse only on clinical grounds — not personal preference
How does right to choose work in the UK?
The process starts and ends with your GP. You bring them information about a provider you want to use, they confirm the referral is clinically appropriate, and then they submit it through the NHS e-Referral Service. The rest — booking your appointment, sending you questionnaires — happens between you and the provider.
Steps to request
- Check you are registered with a GP in England and that your condition fits RTC scope (first outpatient for ADHD or autism)
- Research providers that accept NHS Right to Choose — verify they have an NHS contract
- Book a GP appointment and explain you want to use Right to Choose
- Name the specific provider and, if possible, bring documentation from their website
- GP assesses whether the referral is clinically appropriate — they cannot refuse on non-clinical grounds
- If agreed, GP submits the referral via the e-Referral Service
- The provider receives your referral and contacts you to arrange an initial appointment
Using e-Referral Service
The NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS) is the system your GP uses to send the referral. You won’t usually interact with e-RS directly. Once your GP has entered the referral, you’ll receive confirmation — and then the provider takes over communication. Different providers use different triage systems within e-RS: for example, ProblemShared uses the SEL Adult ADHD Referrals Triage pathway for North East London ICB patients.
GPs deal with RTC requests regularly in areas with high ADHD/autism demand. Going in with a specific provider name and a printout from their website signals you’ve done your homework — and makes the conversation smoother for both of you.
Is right to choose still available in the UK?
Yes — the NHS Right to Choose framework remains active policy. The legal right for patients to choose their outpatient provider has not been removed or suspended. If anything, usage has grown: the Hants IOW ICB noted a significant increase in patients exercising RTC for ADHD and autism assessments over the last two years, with further growth expected as Indicative Activity Plans (IAPs) roll out through 2025/26.
Current status
RTC is an ongoing NHS policy, not a pilot or temporary measure. Demand has increased substantially, particularly for ADHD and autism assessments, which has created longer queues at some providers. Funding caps vary by ICB — ProblemShared, for instance, operates under North East London ICB funding limits that extend into 2026. This means capacity at popular providers can be constrained even though the legal right remains in place.
Any changes
There have been no legislative changes to the patient choice framework. What has changed is demand: more patients know about RTC now, more GPs are being asked about it, and ICBs are managing higher volumes of RTC referrals. Some regional ICBs have published detailed guidance (Sussex ICS, Hants IOW ICB, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS) while others manage it more informally through GP practices.
Can my GP refuse my right to choose?
GPs cannot refuse a Right to Choose request on non-clinical grounds. If your GP says no simply because they prefer a different provider or don’t want to handle the paperwork, that is not a valid refusal. The only legitimate basis for refusal is a clinical judgment that the referral is not appropriate for your needs.
GP responsibilities
Your GP must agree that the referral is clinically appropriate — meaning the provider can assess and treat the condition you are being referred for. Beyond that clinical gate, they cannot impose additional hurdles. The Sussex ICS guidance makes this explicit: your GP provides a list of RTC options, and you choose from among providers with NHS contracts.
What to do if refused
If your GP declines to refer you without a clinical justification, you can:
- Direct them to NHS patient choice information — specifically the NHS.uk page on choices in the NHS
- Ask them to document their reason for refusal in your medical record
- Request a second opinion from another GP at the same practice
- Contact your local ICB’s patient advice and liaison service (PALS) if the refusal appears non-clinical
- Submit a formal complaint through the practice’s complaints procedure
GPs are required to consider RTC requests fairly. If a GP is unfamiliar with the process, pointing them to official NHS guidance — or asking them to check the NHS Choice Framework — is often enough to move the conversation forward.
How to get a referral for a right to choose for ADHD UK?
The referral process is straightforward once you know the steps — but the critical first move is yours. You need to bring the request to your GP with a specific provider in mind. GPs do not proactively suggest RTC providers, so patients who don’t ask miss out entirely.
ADHD providers
Several approved providers accept NHS Right to Choose for ADHD assessments. These include:
- Psychiatry UK — widely used for adult ADHD assessments
- ADHD 360 — private provider with NHS contracts for ADHD services
- RTN Mental Health — online assessments for adults; NICE-compliant
- ProblemShared — accepts referrals from specific ICBs; current ADHD medication wait time is 25–40 weeks as of December 2025
- CARE ADHD, Harrow Health, ADHDNET — additional providers listed by ADD.org
Autism applications
Right to Choose also covers autism spectrum disorder (ASD) assessments. Age eligibility varies by provider:
- RTN Mental Health assesses children aged 6 and above for autism
- ProblemShared accepts child autism referrals from age 7
- The Owl Centre accepts RTC referrals for both ADHD and autism, with a process involving a screening tool, referral request letter, and GP submission with medical records
Children and adults need different providers under RTC. If you’re seeking an assessment for your child, confirm the provider’s minimum age eligibility before requesting the referral — not all providers accepting adult ADHD also accept child autism referrals.
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problemshared.net, norwoodmc.co.uk, nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk, rtnmentalhealth.co.uk, horizonhealthcare.nhs.uk
Patients navigating NHS Right to Choose for quicker ADHD assessments often reference Right to Choose ADHD providers when selecting approved providers and checking waiting lists.
Frequently asked questions
What providers offer NHS Right to Choose for ADHD?
Approved providers include Psychiatry UK, ADHD 360, RTN Mental Health, ProblemShared, CARE ADHD, Harrow Health, and ADHDNET. Availability depends on your ICB and whether the provider holds a current NHS contract in your region. Always check the provider’s website to confirm they are accepting new RTC referrals before requesting a GP referral.
Does Right to Choose apply to autism assessments?
Yes. RTC covers autism spectrum disorder (ASD) assessments for both children and adults. Age eligibility varies by provider — RTN Mental Health accepts children from age 6, while ProblemShared requires children to be at least 7 years old. Adult autism assessments are available through most approved providers.
What if my chosen provider has a long wait?
Wait times vary significantly between providers and can change as demand fluctuates. As of December 2025, ProblemShared reported an ADHD medication wait time of 25–40 weeks. Some providers may be faster; others may have funding caps that slow referrals from specific ICBs. Checking current wait times on the provider’s website before requesting a referral gives you the most accurate picture.
Is Right to Choose free?
Yes. The assessment and any follow-up care under RTC is provided free through the NHS. Your local ICB funds the provider directly. You do not pay anything out of pocket, and you are not treated as a private patient even though you chose the provider.
Can I use Right to Choose for private providers?
You can use RTC with private providers only if they hold an NHS or CCG contract. A provider that operates purely as a private practice — without an NHS contract — cannot accept RTC referrals. This is a key distinction: the right is to choose among NHS-approved providers, not among any healthcare provider you prefer.
What documents do I need for a Right to Choose referral?
Your GP handles the formal referral. You may want to bring: a list of symptoms you want assessed, any relevant medical records, and documentation from the provider’s website confirming they accept RTC referrals and your ICB. Some providers like The Owl Centre have referral forms that your GP can use directly.
How long does a Right to Choose referral take?
Once your GP submits the referral, the timeline depends on the provider. Your GP sends the referral via the e-Referral Service, and the provider should contact you to book an initial appointment. Processing times vary — some providers respond within weeks; others may take longer depending on their current caseload. Your GP can give you an estimated timeframe when they submit the referral.
What if I’m already on an NHS waiting list?
You can still request a RTC referral if you are already on an NHS waiting list — your GP simply needs to agree that the referral is clinically appropriate. However, joining a new provider’s pathway through RTC does not automatically remove you from your existing NHS waitlist. You may need to formally transfer or withdraw from the original list, which your GP can advise on.
For England NHS patients seeking faster access to ADHD or autism assessments, NHS Right to Choose is a practical tool that sidesteps local waiting lists — provided you know the process, name a specific provider, and understand what your GP can and cannot refuse. The legal right exists; the effort is in asking the right person the right question.
Oliver Jack Carter Cooper is a staff writer for EveningLedger.uk, covering UK news, politics, business and culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Edward Langley and Managing Editor Charlotte Reeves, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.