What is Right to Choose for ADHD?

Right to Choose is a legal right under the NHS Constitution that lets adults in England pick any NHS-contracted provider for their ADHD assessment, instead of being placed on the local NHS waiting list.

Is Right to Choose ADHD free?

Yes. Assessments, diagnosis, and titration through a Right to Choose NHS-contracted provider are fully NHS-funded. You pay nothing.

Which providers offer Right to Choose ADHD assessments?

Common NHS-contracted Right to Choose providers include Psychiatry UK, ADHD 360, Care ADHD, and Problem Shared. Provider availability varies by ICB area.

Can my GP refuse a Right to Choose referral?

Only on specific clinical grounds. Funding pressure, local ICB caps, or personal opinion are not valid reasons. If refused without clinical reason, escalate via PALS or the practice complaints procedure.

Does Right to Choose work in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?

No. Right to Choose is an England-only NHS right. Patients in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland follow different pathways.

← Home

Right to Choose ADHD: how it works in 2026

Q: How long does Right to Choose ADHD take?

Typically 6–18 months from referral to assessment, versus 2–7+ years on the standard NHS pathway. Waits vary by provider.

Updated June 2026 · England · ~6 min read

Right to Choose is the single most effective way for adults in England to cut their ADHD assessment wait from 2–7+ years on the standard NHS pathway down to roughly 6–18 months. It's a legal NHS right, it's free, and almost every adult is eligible — but most people have never heard of it.

In one line: ask your GP for an NHS Right to Choose referral to a named provider (e.g. Psychiatry UK, ADHD 360). They send the referral. You wait months, not years. You pay nothing.

What is Right to Choose?

Right to Choose is part of the NHS Constitution. It gives patients in England the legal right to choose which qualified provider treats them when they are referred for a first outpatient appointment — including for ADHD assessment. Providers must hold an NHS contract; you don't pay anything; the wait is set by the provider you choose, not your local NHS trust.

Who is eligible?

You are 18 or over.
You live in England and are registered with an NHS GP.
You are being referred for a first outpatient ADHD assessment (not already in treatment).
You are not detained under the Mental Health Act.

How long does Right to Choose ADHD take?

Wait times vary by provider and change month to month. As of mid-2026 most NHS-contracted Right to Choose providers are quoting 6–18 months, compared with 2–7+ years on many standard NHS pathways. Some providers temporarily pause new referrals when waits become unmanageable, so checking before you name a provider matters.

NHS Right to Choose ADHD providers (England, 2026)

These are the providers most commonly used for adult ADHD assessment under Right to Choose. Availability and waits change — always confirm before naming one on your referral.

Psychiatry UK — long-running national provider.
ADHD 360 — assessment plus titration.
Care ADHD
Problem Shared
Clinical Partners (RTC pathway)

How to use Right to Choose: step by step

Self-screen with the ASRS-v1.1. The WHO-validated screening tool GPs recognise. Take the completed form to your appointment.
Pick a provider. Compare current waits and check they're still accepting referrals from your ICB area.
Book a GP appointment and explicitly say: "I would like to be referred for an NHS ADHD assessment under Right to Choose, to [provider name]."
Hand over a referral letter already addressed to the provider — it saves the GP 20 minutes of admin and removes the most common reason for delay.
If refused, escalate. Ask for the refusal in writing with the clinical reason. If there's no clinical reason, escalate via PALS.

Can a GP refuse a Right to Choose ADHD referral?

Only on specific clinical grounds. "Local funding pressure", "the ICB has paused referrals", and "I don't believe in adult ADHD" are not valid reasons. If you're refused without a documented clinical reason, you can escalate through PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) or the practice's formal complaints procedure.

ICB activity caps — what they mean for you

Some Integrated Care Boards have introduced informal "activity limits" on Right to Choose ADHD referrals. These do not override the legal right — but they can mean longer waits at popular providers. The pack flags your local ICB status so you know what to expect before your appointment.

Get your Right to Choose pack — £19.99

Personalised GP script, ASRS-v1.1 Screening Form (Part A), Right to Choose referral letter naming your provider, refusal response, and PALS escalation letter. Ready in 10 minutes.