NHS Right to Choose ADHD Clinics

The NHS Right to Choose is a legal right under the NHS Constitution that allows patients in England to choose which provider delivers their care. For ADHD, this means you can ask your GP to refer you to a private clinic instead of waiting for an NHS assessment, with the NHS funding the cost.

No. Under Right to Choose, the NHS pays for your assessment and initial treatment. There's no cost to you. However, ongoing medication costs may still apply depending on your prescription arrangements - most clinics can set up shared care with your GP for NHS prescriptions.

GPs cannot refuse a Right to Choose referral if you meet the clinical criteria for an ADHD assessment. If your GP is hesitant, politely refer them to NHS England guidance on patient choice. You can also ask to speak to the practice manager or request a second opinion.

Unlike NHS waiting lists which can exceed 2-3 years, Right to Choose referrals to private clinics typically result in an appointment within 2-8 weeks. The referral process itself usually takes 1-2 weeks once your GP submits the paperwork.

Right to Choose is an NHS England policy and applies only in England. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have different healthcare systems. However, some private clinics may still accept patients from these nations on a self-pay basis.

If you're diagnosed with ADHD, 25 of these clinics offer shared care agreements with your GP. This means the private clinic handles your initial titration, then your GP takes over prescribing, so you get NHS-funded medication long-term.