NHS Right to Choose is one of the most important โ and most underused โ rights available to people seeking an ADHD assessment in England. It allows you to access a private ADHD clinic at absolutely no cost to you, funded by the NHS, simply by asking your GP for the right type of referral. In 2025, with NHS waiting lists for ADHD still stretching to 3โ5 years in many areas, Right to Choose represents the fastest free route to a professional diagnosis for the majority of adults in England.
Key Takeaways
- NHS Right to Choose lets English patients get a free private ADHD assessment via GP referral
- You must be registered with an English GP and the clinic must hold an NHS contract
- Use the phrase "Right to Choose referral" explicitly with your GP and name your preferred clinic
- Right to Choose applies to England only โ Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have different rules
What Is NHS Right to Choose for ADHD?
NHS Right to Choose is a legal entitlement under the NHS Constitution that gives patients in England the right to choose their provider for a first outpatient appointment. While it was originally conceived primarily for surgical referrals, it has been explicitly extended to include mental health services โ including ADHD assessments โ following NHS England guidance issued in 2021.
In practical terms, this means that when your GP decides to refer you for an ADHD assessment, you can ask to be referred to any CQC-registered independent provider that holds an NHS standard contract. The NHS pays the provider directly. You receive the assessment at no cost whatsoever, and the quality of the assessment is the same as if you had paid privately.
It is critically important to note that Right to Choose applies to England only. If you live in Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland, this specific right does not apply, though these nations have their own referral and patient choice frameworks.
Who Is Eligible for NHS Right to Choose?
To use NHS Right to Choose for ADHD, you must meet several criteria. First, you must be registered with a GP in England. Second, your GP must agree that a referral for ADHD assessment is clinically appropriate. Third, the clinic you wish to be referred to must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and must hold a standard NHS contract for mental health outpatient services.
There are no income, age, or employment criteria for Right to Choose eligibility. Any adult registered with an English GP who meets the clinical threshold for ADHD referral is entitled to exercise this right.
How to Ask Your GP for a Right to Choose Referral
Step 1: Book an appointment with your GP. Ask for a longer appointment (15โ20 minutes if possible) and mention that you want to discuss possible ADHD symptoms.
Step 2: Describe your symptoms clearly. Bring a written list of specific examples of how ADHD symptoms are affecting your daily life. Concrete examples are more persuasive than general descriptions.
Step 3: Ask specifically for a Right to Choose referral. Use the phrase "NHS Right to Choose referral" explicitly. Mention the specific clinic you would like to be referred to by name, and confirm you have checked that they hold an NHS contract.
Step 4: Your GP generates the referral letter. Once agreed, your GP will send a referral letter to the chosen clinic. The clinic will then contact you to arrange your appointment.
Which ADHD Clinics Accept Right to Choose?
The most established providers include Psychiatry UK (which pioneered the Right to Choose pathway for ADHD), ADHD 360, Priory Group, and several regional providers. Each has different capacity, waiting times, and assessment approaches, so it is worth doing some research before nominating a clinic in your GP referral request.
When evaluating a clinic for Right to Choose, key things to verify include: that they are CQC-registered, that they hold a current NHS standard contract, that they assess adults, and what their current waiting time is for Right to Choose referrals. Many clinics now conduct assessments via video call, so geography matters less than it once did.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NHS Right to Choose available in Scotland and Wales?
No โ NHS Right to Choose as described here applies to England only. Scotland has its own "choose your provider" framework, and Wales operates a similar but distinct patient choice policy. Contact your local health board for details specific to your area.
What if my GP refuses to make a Right to Choose referral?
If your GP refuses, you can ask to see a different GP at the same practice, raise a complaint with PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service), or contact NHS England. ADHD UK and other advocacy groups publish template letters you can use to formally request a referral.
How long does a Right to Choose ADHD assessment take from referral to appointment?
Waiting times vary by clinic and your location, but most Right to Choose pathways offer assessments within 3โ12 months of referral โ significantly faster than the 3โ5 year NHS direct average. Some clinics have current waits of 6โ10 weeks.