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ADHD Private

NHS Right to Choose

Right to Choose, explained properly.

Right to Choose is your legal right in England to be referred to a private ADHD clinic and have the NHS pay for the assessment. It costs you nothing, but waits depend on the clinic and on your local NHS area, and this guide walks you through every step.

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Check the wait in your area first. Some local NHS areas now limit the number of Right to Choose assessments they fund and have set minimum waits, so an NHS-funded wait can be much longer than the private wait shown for a clinic. Some NHS bodies say this on their own pages, each shown with the date the page gives and the day we read it:
  • NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB’s page ↗ (not dated) says it works with providers to plan the number of autism and ADHD assessments they carry out each year, and a provider may have already carried out its planned number for the year. Read on 9 Oct 2026.
  • NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB’s page ↗ (dated September 2026) says people waiting for a Right to Choose assessment “will only be offered an assessment in 2027 if they meet prioritisation criteria”; the same applies to new referrals in 2026/27. Read on 9 Oct 2026.
  • NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB’s page ↗ (not dated) says it has asked all providers of adult ADHD services “to reduce the number of new adult ADHD assessments they offer from April onwards for patients who have waited less than 52 weeks”. Read on 9 Oct 2026.
  • NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland ICB’s page ↗ (dated April 2026) says a provider can accept your referral and add you to its waiting list but, to stay within its allocation, “may need to pause or delay the date that they can offer an appointment”. Read on 9 Oct 2026.
  • NHS North East and North Cumbria ICB’s page ↗ (not dated) says Right to Choose referrals “remain open” and providers it funds are “working to an approximately 78-week minimum waiting time for an initial assessment” in 2026/27. Read on 9 Oct 2026.
  • NHS South West London ICB’s page ↗ (dated 6 Oct 2026) says from 1 July 2026 it agreed with each Right to Choose ADHD provider the level of NHS-funded activity, and a provider “may temporarily pause new assessment appointments”. Read on 9 Oct 2026.
  • NHS West Yorkshire ICB’s page ↗ (not dated) says it has agreed a minimum waiting time for all autism and ADHD assessments for patients of independent providers, “currently two years from the date of referral”. Read on 9 Oct 2026.
Other areas may differ, so check your own ICB’s website. Before your GP refers you, ask the clinic whether it is taking Right to Choose referrals from your area and what its wait is.

What is Right to Choose?

Right to Choose is your legal right under the NHS Constitution (Section 3a) to choose which healthcare provider treats you for your first outpatient appointment.

For ADHD, this means you can ask your GP to refer you to a private clinic that accepts Right to Choose referrals instead of to your local NHS service—and the NHS pays for it. Some local NHS areas now limit the number of Right to Choose assessments they fund and have set minimum waits, so an NHS-funded wait can be much longer than the private wait shown for a clinic.

This isn't a loophole or a special favour—it is set out in law in Part 8 of the NHS Standing Rules Regulations 2012 (“choice of health service provider”), as amended, and reinforced by NHS England guidance.

Your legal rights

  • Choose any qualified NHS-funded provider
  • Get the same assessment as the clinic’s private patients
  • Choose a provider instead of your local NHS service
  • No cost for the assessment itself
  • GP cannot refuse without valid clinical reason

Am I eligible?

You ARE eligible if
  • You are registered with a GP in England
  • You have symptoms consistent with ADHD
  • You haven’t already been assessed by the NHS for this condition
  • The provider you choose is qualified and accepts RTC
Not available if
  • You live in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland
  • You want to choose a provider for ongoing care (RTC is for first appointment)
  • The condition requires emergency or urgent care
Already on an NHS waiting list? You can still ask to use Right to Choose instead. Before your GP makes a new referral, ask what happens to your existing NHS place, and ask the clinic what its wait is for your area: some areas now set long minimum waits for the Right to Choose route.

How it works — five steps

1
Find a Right to Choose clinic

Browse our directory to find a private clinic that accepts NHS Right to Choose referrals. Check its services and regulator registration, and ask what its Right to Choose wait is for your area.

Compare Right to Choose providers
2
Book a GP appointment

Request an appointment with your GP specifically to discuss ADHD symptoms and request a Right to Choose referral. Prepare notes on your symptoms.

Tip: Book a double appointment if possible — you’ll need time to explain your symptoms and the RTC process.
3
Request the referral

Tell your GP you want to use your Right to Choose to be referred to your chosen clinic. Bring a copy of our template letter and the clinic’s referral information.

Get letter template
4
GP submits referral

Your GP completes the clinic’s referral form and sends it to the provider. Ask the clinic to confirm it has received the referral and what its wait is for your area — if you haven’t heard within a couple of weeks, chase the clinic directly rather than your GP.

Tip: Ask your GP to confirm when the referral has been sent. Follow up after a week if you haven’t heard from the clinic.
5
Attend your assessment

Complete your ADHD assessment with the private clinic (usually via video call). If diagnosed, discuss medication and shared care options.

GP letter template

Copy, fill in the brackets, bring two copies to your appointment.

Dear Dr [GP Name],

I am writing to request a referral for an ADHD assessment under my NHS Right to Choose, as set out in the NHS Constitution and in Part 8 of the National Health Service Commissioning Board and Clinical Commissioning Groups (Responsibilities and Standing Rules) Regulations 2012.

I have been experiencing symptoms consistent with ADHD that are significantly affecting my [work/education/daily life/relationships]. These include:
• [List 3-5 specific examples, e.g. difficulty concentrating, losing track of time, acting on impulse]

I would like to be referred to [Clinic Name], which accepts NHS Right to Choose referrals for ADHD assessments.
Their referral details are:
• Website: [clinic website]
• Referral or booking page: [clinic referral page, if they publish one]
• Email: [referral email]
• Phone: [phone number]

I understand that:
• Right to Choose applies to the first outpatient appointment with a consultant-led team
• The provider must be qualified and hold an NHS Standard Contract for this service
• The assessment is commissioned and paid for by the NHS, not from the practice's own budget

I would be grateful if you could process this referral. If you have any concerns about the request, I would welcome the chance to discuss them with you.

Thank you for your help.

Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Date of Birth]
[NHS Number if known]
How to use: replace all [bracketed text] with your information · add your specific ADHD symptoms · include the clinic's referral details from their website · print two copies — one for your GP, one for your records.

Don't want to look up the clinic's details? Pick a clinic and we'll put its name, address and referral route into the letter for you.

Build your Right to Choose GP letter

What if my GP says no?

Common pushbacks — and the calm, factual response to each.

“We don’t do Right to Choose referrals”

Your response: Right to Choose is a legal right, not a GP discretion. Politely explain it’s enshrined in the NHS Constitution and ask them to check NHS England guidance.

“It’s too expensive for the practice”

Your response: The assessment is commissioned and paid for by the NHS — since 2022 that is your Integrated Care Board — not out of the practice’s own budget.

“You need to wait on the NHS list first”

Your response: This is incorrect. Right to Choose applies to your first outpatient appointment—you don’t need to wait on any list first.

“I’ve never heard of this clinic”

Your response: Explain that the clinic specialises in ADHD assessments, and — where we hold it — show them the clinic’s entry on the CQC register, linked from its page in our directory. Providers must be qualified and hold an NHS Standard Contract to take Right to Choose referrals.

“You should see our mental health team first”

Your response: You can request Right to Choose for any appropriate outpatient referral. A local assessment isn’t a prerequisite.

“I don’t think you have ADHD”

Your response: Ask for a clinical explanation in writing. If you disagree, you can request a second opinion or find another GP who will refer you for assessment.

Still being refused?

If your GP continues to refuse without a valid clinical reason, you have options:

1. Ask for the refusal in writing with clinical justification2. Speak to the Practice Manager or another GP at the practice3. Contact NHS England to raise a complaint4. Register with a different GP practice that supports Right to Choose

After your diagnosis

Diagnostic report

You'll receive a detailed report confirming your diagnosis, which is sent to your GP. This can be used for workplace adjustments, educational support, or PIP applications.

Medication titration

If medication is recommended, you'll go through a titration period to find the right dose. How long it takes varies from person to person. Some clinics include this in RTC; others charge separately.

Shared care

Once your dose is stable, many clinics will write to your GP requesting "shared care", where the GP takes over prescribing on the NHS. Your GP practice decides whether to accept. Compare clinics offering shared care.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Right to Choose cost?
The assessment itself is free under Right to Choose — the NHS pays the clinic directly. Costs can come afterwards, if medication is recommended. Some clinics include titration in their Right to Choose service; others charge for it privately, and a titration fee may cover one appointment, a month of care or a whole package. Ask the clinic what it charges and what the fee includes before your GP refers you. Compare titration and medication clinics.
How long is the wait for a Right to Choose assessment?
It depends on the clinic and on your local NHS area. Some local NHS areas now limit the number of Right to Choose assessments they fund and have set minimum waits, so an NHS-funded wait can be much longer than the private wait shown for a clinic. Before your GP refers you, ask the clinic whether it is taking Right to Choose referrals from your area and what its wait is.
Can I use Right to Choose if I’m already on an NHS waiting list?
Usually yes. You can ask your GP to make a new Right to Choose referral to a different provider. Be aware that this normally means leaving the local NHS waiting list you are on rather than holding both places, so ask your GP to confirm what happens to your existing referral before deciding.
Is Right to Choose available for children?
Yes, Right to Choose applies to both adults and children. Many private clinics accept RTC referrals for under-18s. Your child’s GP can make the referral.
What if I’m diagnosed but my GP won’t prescribe medication?
A shared care agreement is voluntary: the GMC’s guidance says shared care “requires the agreement of all parties, including the patient”, and BMA guidance for GP practices in England says “All shared care arrangements are voluntary”. If your practice declines, you can ask for its policy in writing and ask whether it applies to all ADHD patients or only to private referrals. The same BMA guidance says that where practices decline a shared care request, “The responsibility for the patient’s care and ongoing prescribing then remains the responsibility of the private provider.” It is worth asking your practice where it stands before you book.
Is Right to Choose available in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland?
No, Right to Choose is an NHS England policy. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have separate health services with different policies. However, private clinics in these regions offer self-funded assessments.

Official sources

Ready to use your Right to Choose?

Find a clinic that accepts NHS Right to Choose referrals, check its wait for your area, and ask your GP to refer you — the NHS pays for the assessment.

Compare NHS Right to Choose clinicsBrowse all clinics