Right to Choose for ADHD: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Faster Diagnosis

The NHS Right to Choose lets you switch from a years-long NHS waiting list to an approved private provider — often at no extra cost. Here's exactly how to use it for your ADHD assessment, including template letters and what to say to your GP.

What Is the Right to Choose?

The NHS Right to Choose is a legal right enshrined in the NHS Constitution for England. It states that patients have the right to choose which provider delivers their NHS-funded care, as long as that provider meets NHS standards and has a contract with an NHS commissioner. In practical terms, this means that if your GP refers you for an ADHD assessment, you can ask for that referral to be sent to an approved private provider rather than the local NHS service — and the NHS will fund it.

This right exists for all consultant-led services in England, but it has become particularly significant for ADHD assessments because NHS waiting lists are so long. While the NHS waiting list for an ADHD assessment can exceed three years in many areas, approved Right to Choose providers can typically see patients within weeks. For more on NHS waiting times, see our article on NHS ADHD waiting times in 2026.

It is important to note that the Right to Choose applies in England only. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have their own healthcare systems and different policies regarding patient choice.

Who Is Eligible?

You can use the Right to Choose for your ADHD assessment if you are registered with a GP in England, your GP agrees that a referral for ADHD assessment is clinically appropriate, and the provider you choose has an active contract with an NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB). You do not need to have been on an NHS waiting list first. The Right to Choose can be used at the point of initial referral.

Step-by-Step: How to Use Right to Choose for ADHD

Step 1: Book a GP Appointment

The process starts with your GP. Book an appointment and explain that you would like to be referred for an adult ADHD assessment. Be prepared to describe your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. It can help to bring notes or a completed self-screening questionnaire. Our free ADHD screener can be a useful starting point for this conversation.

Step 2: Request a Right to Choose Referral

Once your GP agrees that a referral is appropriate, tell them that you would like to exercise your Right to Choose and be referred to a specific approved provider. You should name the provider — for example, "I would like to be referred to Clearmind under the Right to Choose pathway."

Some GPs are very familiar with this process; others are less so. If your GP is unsure, you can refer them to the NHS England Right to Choose guidance, which confirms that patients have the right to choose any clinically appropriate provider that holds an NHS contract.

Step 3: Your GP Makes the Referral

Your GP will send a referral to your chosen provider. This typically includes your basic details, a brief summary of your symptoms, and any relevant medical history. The provider will then contact you to arrange your assessment.

Step 4: Your Assessment

Your assessment will be carried out by a qualified clinician — usually a consultant psychiatrist — just as it would be through the NHS. The assessment follows the same NICE guidelines and is of the same clinical standard. The difference is simply that you are seen much more quickly. For details on what the assessment involves, see our guide on what to expect from an ADHD assessment.

Step 5: Your Diagnosis and Report

After your assessment, you will receive a diagnostic report. This will be shared with your GP (with your consent) and will include the diagnosis, treatment recommendations, and a request for shared care if medication is recommended.

What If Your GP Refuses?

While GPs cannot refuse a valid Right to Choose request without good clinical reason, some GPs may be hesitant due to unfamiliarity with the process or concerns about cost. Here are some strategies if you encounter resistance.

• Know your rights: The Right to Choose is enshrined in the NHS Constitution and in Section 75 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012. It is not optional for NHS providers to honour.
• Provide information: Print out the NHS England Right to Choose guidance and bring it to your appointment. Some GPs simply have not encountered the pathway before.
• Emphasise clinical need: Explain how your symptoms are affecting your work, relationships, and mental health. Focus on functional impairment rather than listing symptoms.
• Ask for their reasoning in writing: If your GP refuses, ask them to document their reasons in your medical record. This often prompts a reconsideration.
• Contact the practice manager: If a specific GP is unhelpful, the practice manager can often facilitate the referral with a different clinician.
• Contact your local ICB: Your local Integrated Care Board is responsible for ensuring patients can exercise their Right to Choose. They can intervene if a GP practice is not complying.

Right to Choose vs Private Assessment

There are two main routes to a faster ADHD assessment: Right to Choose (NHS-funded via an approved provider) and fully private assessment (self-funded). Here is how they compare.

• Cost: Right to Choose is free to the patient, as the NHS funds the assessment. A private assessment is self-funded (from £595 at Clearmind, with payment plans available).
• Speed: Right to Choose typically takes a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on the provider. A fully private assessment can often be arranged within 1-2 weeks.
• Referral needed: Right to Choose requires a GP referral. A private assessment does not — you can self-refer directly.
• Post-diagnosis care: Both routes lead to the same outcome — a diagnostic report that can be shared with your GP for shared care.

For more information about our Right to Choose service, visit our Right to Choose page. If you prefer to self-refer for a private assessment, you can book directly with Clearmind.