Right to Choose

 

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Are you aware that all NHS Patients now have a legal right to choose their own ADHD/Autism provider?

This means that you can choose an NHS service that you feel would best suit your needs, however please be advised this may mean the travel is a lot further but the wait time maybe a lot less.

NHS Right to Choose is fairly new, meaning not everyone is aware of this option. We have put together the below information to help assist you in your Right to Choose Journey.

 

Who can offer Right to Choose assessments?

There are many clinics throughout the UK that can offer Right to Choose ADHD and or ASD assessments. These services will already be offering this NHS service within their local areas and have been authorised to provide treatment to other areas within England. To ensure the service is the one you feel would be best suited to yourself please do check their website for services they are able to provide yourself.

As the patient, parent or guardian, you will need to research and select the service yourself, this is not something we’re able to recommend or choose for you. Once you have chosen your selected provider, you will need to tell us, providing us with your name, D.O.B. address and contact number, you will also need to advise us which service you have chosen and the assessment you require. We will then ensure this is passed onto our secretaries who will be back in contact within the next 28 days.

It is very important however to note, that all clinics within the list below are able to offer diagnosis but are often unable to offer medication. This means that although they are able to provide yourself with a diagnosis, you will often need a local NHS referral if it is felt medication is required.

 

My Right to Choose provide is able to offer medication

It is important to remember that if the service is able to prescribe ADHD medication, this is not normally something the surgery is able to continue via the Right to Choose pathway. This means for you to continue this medication you will need to keep attending their clinics until the local service can take over - the current wait time for this is 1-3 years.

 

Are there situations when a patient can’t use a Right to Choose assessment?

Although most patients are suitable for a Right to Choose assessment, there are some situations when we’re unable to refer via this route

  • Anyone who is needing urgent/emergency assessment
  • If you have already received an assessment or treatment for the condition you wish to be referred for
  • The organisation you have chosen does not provide diagnosis for under 18 and you’re currently under 18
  • You’re currently a prisoner or are on temporary release from prison
  • You are detained under the Mental Health Act 1983

The above list is open to change at any time. Some services have their own restrictions in place, please do contact your chosen provider to ensure you meet their requirements and that they are still taking Right to Choose patients. The majority of providers also have a copy of their referral form and any relevant questionnaires so it might be useful for patients to download and complete these as much as possible before sending in.

 

Adult ADHD provider (over 18)

 

Children ADHD provider (under 18)

 

Autism provider (over 18)

 

Autism provider (under 18)

It is important to note, the above list is not limited and is open to change at any time. We are also not suggesting any particular provider as we’re unable to make recommendations.

Majority of the providers do have a copy of their recommended letter template to send to the GP for Right to Choose as well as their referral form and any relevant questionnaires so it might be useful for patients to download and complete these as much as they can to send in when they email us, as it’ll save the PAs hunting for any forms we don’t have on EMIS!