Right to Choose ADHD: How to Get Assessed Without the Years-Long Wait
The NHS Right to Choose lets you pick your ADHD assessment provider in England, cutting waits from years to months. Here's exactly how to use it.
Right to Choose & ADHD
What Is Right to Choose?
Right to Choose (RTC) is a legal right under the NHS Constitution and the NHS Long Term Plan that allows patients in England to choose which provider carries out their first outpatient appointment. For ADHD, this means you can ask your GP to refer you to an approved provider outside your local NHS trust — often cutting waiting times from years to months.
Right to Choose is enshrined in the NHS Constitution (Section 3a) and the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Your GP cannot legally refuse a Right to Choose referral if the provider is NHS-approved and offers the service you need. You are not asking for special treatment — you are exercising a right that applies to all NHS patients.
Legal Basis
Protected under the NHS Constitution and Health and Social Care Act 2012. GPs must comply unless there's a legitimate clinical reason not to.
NHS-Funded
Right to Choose referrals are paid for by the NHS, not you. The provider bills your local Integrated Care Board (ICB) directly.
Approved Providers
You can choose any provider listed on the NHS e-Referral Service that offers adult ADHD assessments. Several specialise in neurodevelopmental conditions.
Faster Assessment
Most RTC providers currently offer assessment within 2-6 months, compared to 2-8+ years through some local NHS services.
Who Can Use Right to Choose?
Eligibility Requirements
0/5 complete- You are registered with a GP in England
- You are being referred for a first outpatient appointment (not a follow-up)
- You have not already been seen by a specialist for ADHD through the NHS
- The provider you choose is listed on the NHS e-Referral Service
- Your referral is for an NHS-funded service (not private)
Right to Choose currently applies only in England. If you're in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, different pathways exist. Scotland has a similar referral system but without the same legal framework. Wales and Northern Ireland have their own NHS structures — contact your local health board for ADHD referral options. ADHD UK (adhduk.co.uk) has guides for all four nations.
Approved Providers (2025-2026)
The landscape of Right to Choose providers changes regularly. Here are the major providers currently accepting NHS referrals:
| Feature | Psychiatry UK | ADHD 360 | Clinical Partners | Local NHS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical wait | 3-6 months | 2-4 months | 2-4 months | 2-8+ years |
| Assessment type | Remote (video) | Remote (video) | In-person or remote | Varies |
| Adults | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Children | ✗ | Some areas | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-diagnosis support | Limited | Limited | Varies | Varies |
| Shared care common | Yes | Yes | Yes | N/A |
| Accepts all England GPs | ✓ | Most areas | Most areas | N/A |
Provider waiting times change frequently. Before requesting a specific provider, check their website or call them directly for current wait estimates. ADHD UK maintains an updated list of providers and their approximate waits.
How to Use Right to Choose: Step by Step
Your Right to Choose Journey
Research Your Provider
Choose which approved provider you want to be referred to. Check their current waiting times, whether they cover your area, and what their assessment process involves. Psychiatry UK and ADHD 360 are the most commonly used.
Book a GP Appointment
Request an appointment with your GP. You can mention it's about an ADHD referral when booking. Some people find it helpful to book a longer appointment (double slot) so there's time for discussion.
Request the Referral
Tell your GP you'd like to be referred for an ADHD assessment and that you're exercising your Right to Choose. Name your chosen provider. Bring a printed template letter if it helps — ADHD UK provides one on their website.
GP Sends the Referral
Your GP completes a referral form and sends it to your chosen provider. This may go through the NHS e-Referral Service or directly to the provider. Ask your GP to confirm when the referral has been sent.
Provider Acknowledges
The provider will contact you (usually by email) to confirm receipt and give you an estimated timeframe. Register on their patient portal if they have one. Keep all correspondence.
Attend Your Assessment
Most RTC assessments are conducted remotely via video call and last 1-2 hours. You'll be asked about your history, current symptoms, and daily functioning. Some providers request questionnaires in advance.
Some GPs are unfamiliar with Right to Choose or reluctant to make the referral. If this happens: remind them it's a legal right (cite the NHS Constitution Section 3a), ask them to document their refusal in writing, and consider requesting a different GP at the practice. You can also complain to your local ICB or contact ADHD UK's support line for help. A refusal without clinical justification is not lawful.
Common GP Objections (and How to Respond)
Handling GP Pushback
What to Do While You Wait
Whether you're on an NHS waiting list or waiting for your Right to Choose assessment, the months in between don't have to be wasted. Many people find that building supportive structures before diagnosis makes the biggest difference to daily life.
Track Your Symptoms
Keep a simple journal of how ADHD affects your daily life. Note what's hard, what helps, and any patterns you spot. This is invaluable for your assessment — and helps you understand yourself better.
Learn About ADHD
Understanding your brain is powerful. Read about ADHD from reliable sources (NHS, ADHD UK, clinical resources). Knowledge reduces self-blame and helps you develop strategies before you even see a specialist.
Find Community
ADHD UK, Reddit's r/ADHDUK, and local support groups connect you with people who understand. Many people say peer support was more transformative than their eventual diagnosis.
Build External Structure
You don't need a diagnosis to start using tools that support your brain. Task management, visual timers, and brain dumps can make a real difference right now — not just after assessment.
Sprout was designed to help at every stage of the ADHD journey — including the waiting stage. You don't need a diagnosis to benefit from AI Task Breakdown, Brain Dump for racing thoughts, or a Day Plan that reduces overwhelm. Many people find that having these systems in place before their assessment means they're ready to hit the ground running once they have a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Assessment Preparation Checklist
0/7 complete- School reports (if available) — evidence of childhood symptoms
- Notes from a parent, partner, or close friend about your behaviour
- A list of specific examples of how ADHD affects your daily life
- Your symptom journal or tracking notes
- Questions you want to ask the assessor
- Any previous mental health diagnoses or assessments
- Current medication list
For a broader overview of ADHD in the UK including all diagnosis routes, see our comprehensive ADHD UK guide.
After Your Assessment
Your assessment will result in one of several outcomes. Here's what to expect:
Possible Assessment Outcomes
ADHD Diagnosis Confirmed
You'll receive a diagnostic report and recommendations for treatment. This typically includes medication options and may include therapy referrals. Your provider will contact your GP to arrange ongoing care through a shared care agreement.
Inconclusive — Further Assessment Needed
Sometimes a single assessment isn't enough. You may be asked for additional information, further questionnaires, or a follow-up session. This doesn't mean you don't have ADHD — it means the assessor wants to be thorough.
Shared Care Agreement
Most RTC providers assess and initiate treatment but transfer ongoing prescribing to your GP under a shared care agreement. Your GP manages repeat prescriptions and monitoring, while the specialist remains available for advice. Some GPs are reluctant — ADHD UK can help if this is an issue.
Building Your Support System
Diagnosis is the beginning, not the end. Medication helps many people, but it works best alongside practical strategies — task management, routine building, workplace adjustments, and tools that support executive function daily.
Right to Choose in 2025-2026
Right to Choose came under threat in 2024 when some Integrated Care Boards attempted to restrict or block RTC ADHD referrals, citing costs. A significant campaign by ADHD UK and patient advocates successfully pushed back, and NHS England reaffirmed that RTC is a legal right that cannot be arbitrarily restricted.
However, the situation requires ongoing vigilance. Some ICBs continue to create bureaucratic barriers, and provider capacity can't keep up with demand. The underlying issue — chronic underfunding of NHS adult ADHD services — remains unresolved.
"Right to Choose is not a loophole or a shortcut. It's a legal right designed to give patients choice in their healthcare. Until NHS ADHD services are properly funded, RTC remains a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of people who would otherwise wait years for the help they need.
If you've used Right to Choose, consider supporting organisations like ADHD UK who campaign to protect this right for future patients. And if you're an employer, look into Access to Work funding that can support employees during and after the assessment process.
Whether your assessment is next week or next year, you can start building systems that support your brain today. Download Sprout — designed for ADHD brains at every stage, from first suspicion to long-term management.