Long waiting lists for NHS ADHD assessments leave many adults stuck in limbo. You know something is not working, but you are told to wait months or even years before you can see a specialist. ADHD Right to Choose offers a different route. If you live in England and your GP agrees to refer you, you may be able to choose an alternative NHS-funded provider for your adult ADHD assessment, including Harrow Health.
Instead of being limited to your local mental health trust, ADHD Right to Choose allows you to ask for a provider elsewhere in England that holds an appropriate NHS contract for ADHD assessments. You still attend as an NHS patient; you are not going private and you should not be charged for the assessment itself. For adults whose work, relationships and mental health are already under strain, that extra choice can make a real difference.
How ADHD Right to Choose works
ADHD Right to Choose comes from the NHS, which gives patients in England the right to choose their provider for a first outpatient appointment, including many mental health services. When it is used for ADHD, there are three essentials. You must be registered with a GP in England. Your GP must judge that an ADHD assessment is clinically appropriate. And the provider you choose must have the right NHS contract in place to see you under the scheme.
Once your GP agrees, they send a referral directly to the provider, usually through the NHS e-Referral Service or the process set out on the clinic’s website. Many adult ADHD services now offer online forms, screening questionnaires and video appointments. That can be a relief if you are juggling work, parenting or long commutes. You are still under the NHS – the difference is simply who delivers the assessment and how quickly they can see you.
Not every clinic offers the same level of support, so it is worth checking details before you decide. Some providers focus purely on diagnostic assessments. Others can also start and stabilise medication, then hand over prescribing to your GP via a shared care agreement. Looking at the provider’s website, FAQs and any patient information can help you understand exactly what is included and what happens after you receive a diagnosis.
Talking to your GP about ADHD Right to Choose
For many adults, the hardest step is raising ADHD Right to Choose with their GP in the first place. You might worry about being dismissed as “just stressed” or feel guilty for asking when services are already stretched. It can help to prepare a clear, specific description of how your symptoms affect your daily life: missed deadlines at work, repeated warnings about performance, difficulties managing finances, or ongoing strain in relationships because of forgetfulness or impulsivity.
Some GPs are very familiar with ADHD Right to Choose and use it regularly. Others may have heard of it in general terms but not know which providers are eligible. Going in with the name of a suitable clinic, along with printed information from the provider’s website, can make the conversation more straightforward. You are not demanding a referral; you are explaining your difficulties and asking whether a specialist ADHD assessment via Right to Choose would be clinically appropriate.
If your GP agrees, ask how they will send the referral and what you should expect next. Make a note of any forms you need to complete or documents you should bring to your appointment. If they are unsure about the scheme, you can calmly highlight that ADHD Right to Choose is part of your legal rights as an NHS patient for a first outpatient appointment, while respecting that the final clinical decision rests with them.
What to expect from a Right to Choose ADHD provider
Once your referral is accepted, the provider will usually contact you to confirm details and invite you to an assessment. Adult ADHD assessments typically involve a detailed clinical interview, questions about your childhood and current functioning, and sometimes standardised questionnaires completed by you and, where possible, someone who knew you when you were younger.
A diagnosis is not guaranteed. The clinician may confirm ADHD, identify a different condition, or suggest that your difficulties arise from a mix of factors. If ADHD is diagnosed, you should receive a clear explanation, a written report and a discussion of treatment options. For some adults, this includes medication; for others, coaching, psychological support and practical strategies are more appropriate. A good provider will outline the next steps, including how long they will follow you up and what, if anything, needs to be agreed with your GP.
Used well, ADHD Right to Choose gives adults in England more control over their care at a point when life may already feel out of control. If ADHD symptoms are making it hard to hold things together at work or at home, exploring this route with your GP could move you from waiting endlessly for answers to finally understanding how your brain works and what support might actually help.