ADHD and the NHS Right to Choose

If you're registered with a GP in England, you have a legal right to choose who carries out your NHS-funded ADHD assessment. You can pick any provider with an NHS contract for ADHD assessment, anywhere in England, not just your local service.

Right to Choose applies in England only. Scotland and Wales have different routes.

Content reviewed by

Adrian Williams

ADHD Specialist Practitioner and Nurse Prescriber

Right to Choose: what you need to know

Right to Choose applies in England only. Scotland and Wales have different routes.

Only a GP can make a Right to Choose referral, so you can't refer yourself.

ADHD Simple is not a Right to Choose provider. This guide explains how the scheme works so you can use it with a provider that is.

Are you eligible?

You can usually use Right to Choose if:

you’re registered with a GP practice in England
your GP agrees an ADHD assessment referral is appropriate for you
you’re 18 or over, if you’re looking for an adult assessment (children can use Right to Choose too, through providers that assess under-18s)

Right to Choose doesn’t apply if you are:

already receiving mental health care for ADHD through an NHS referral
using urgent, emergency or crisis mental health services
detained under the Mental Health Act 1983
in prison, on temporary release, or held in a secure training centre or immigration removal centre
in high secure psychiatric services
a serving member of the regular armed forces (Defence Medical Services has its own route)

Each provider also has its own criteria, such as age range or whether it can support comorbidities. Check this information before you ask for a referral.

Right to Choose in 2026: what's changed

Right to Choose is still a legal right, but many Integrated Care Boards (ICBs, the local NHS bodies that pay for care) now cap how many assessments each provider can carry out each year. Each ICB decides how much to fund ADHD services in its area, and services tend to be limited based on how many clinicians are available. When a provider reaches its cap, it may stop new assessments or medication start times, even while continuing to take on referrals. Some areas have actually paused bookings altogether.

Rules differ between ICBs and can often change. Before you ask your GP for a referral, make sure to check your ICB’s website and the provider’s current wait: https://www.england.nhs.uk/contact-us/about-nhs-services/contact-your-local-integrated-care-board-icb/

The routes, side by side

Area

Private assessment with ADHD Simple

NHS Right to Choose

Cost to you

£399

Free

Referral

Book directly; no referral needed

GP referral needed

Wait for assessment

1-2 weeks

2 years + (varies by provider) The Guardian 2026

Titration wait after diagnosis

1-2 weeks

Varies, some providers have a separate wait

Choice of provider

Choose us directly

Any provider with an NHS contract, subject to local caps

Medication after titration

Private prescribing, then GP shared care if agreed

NHS provider, then GP shared care if agreed

Who can use it

Adults 18+ in the UK

Registered with a GP in England

How to use Right to Choose:

Choose a provider. Find one with an NHS contract for ADHD assessment that accepts referrals from your area. Compare current waits across providers, whether it assesses online, and whether it offers medication and follow-up as you may require this following the assessment if you are diagnosed.
Get the provider’s referral pack. Most providers publish a referral form online or GP cover letter on their website that you can use for the referral.
Book an appointment with your GP. Speak with your GP and say you’d like an ADHD assessment and want to use your Right to Choose.
Your GP then decides the next steps. They might ask you to complete a screening questionnaire first. Only a GP can make a Right to Choose referral, so you can’t refer yourself.
Your GP will send the referral. Many providers accept referrals through the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS). Others ask for their own form by email.
The provider will contact you. You’ll usually join a waiting list and be asked to complete questionnaires before your assessment.
Plan for medication. If you’re diagnosed and start medication, your GP may later be asked to take over prescribing under a shared care agreement. Ask your practice early whether it usually agrees to this way of working.

What to say to your GP

“I’d like to be referred for an ADHD assessment. I would like to use my legal right to choose my provider. I’ve chosen [provider name], which holds an NHS contract for ADHD assessments. Here’s their referral information.”

If your GP refuses

Ask why. A GP can decline if they don’t think a referral is clinically appropriate, but not just because a provider is outside your area.
Show them the rules. Point them to the NHS Choice Framework.
Ask another GP. It might be worthwhile seeking a second opinion.
Escalate. Contact the practice manager, then your ICB. If that doesn’t resolve it, you can go to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, as nhs.uk explains.

If your GP refuses

Ask why. A GP can decline if they don’t think a referral is clinically appropriate, but not just because a provider is outside your area.
Show them the rules. Point them to the NHS Choice Framework.
Ask another GP. It might be worthwhile seeking a second opinion.
Escalate. Contact the practice manager, then your ICB. If that doesn’t resolve it, you can go to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, as nhs.uk explains.

Right to Choose vs going private: an honest comparison

If you can wait and your area isn’t restricting referrals, Right to Choose might work for you. However, it makes sense to go private if your local waits are long, your ICB has paused bookings, you can afford to be seen privately, or waiting is affecting your work, studies or relationships.

If you'd rather not wait

If Right to Choose isn’t available in your area or the wait is too long, you can see us privately. Our assessments follow NICE guideline NG87, the same standard used in NHS services.

Seen in 1-2 weeks, online
Assessed by specialised nurse practitioner or consultant psychiatrist, registered with the GMC or NMC
A full written report you can share with your GP
Medication support if required, at a separate fee.
Optional ongoing support if required

ADHD Simple is not a Right to Choose provider. This guide explains how the scheme works so you can use it with a provider that is.