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Right to Choose ADHD assessment explained
NHS Right to Choose is a legal right in England that lets you ask your GP to refer you to an approved provider of your choice for many services, including some ADHD assessments. It is still funded by the NHS, so it is free, and it can sometimes mean a shorter wait than your local service. It does not apply in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. This is information, not medical advice.
Information only. Eligibility and providers change over time. Always confirm the current position with your GP and the provider before you proceed.
What Right to Choose is
In England, patients have a legal right to choose which provider they are referred to for many planned services. This is set out in the NHS Choice Framework. For ADHD, it means that instead of automatically going to your local NHS service, you can ask your GP to refer you to an approved provider that offers ADHD assessments on the NHS. The care stays NHS-funded, so there is no charge to you.
Who is eligible
- You are registered with an NHS GP in England.
- You are being referred for a first outpatient appointment, which includes many ADHD assessments.
- The provider you choose has an NHS contract to deliver the service.
- It does not apply to some services or in urgent situations, and it does not apply outside England.
How the route works, step by step
- Identify an approved provider that offers NHS ADHD assessments under Right to Choose.
- Book a GP appointment and explain that you would like a Right to Choose referral to that provider.
- Your GP makes the referral. Many providers also have a referral form your GP can complete.
- The provider contacts you, confirms eligibility, and adds you to their list for assessment.
- You attend the assessment, carried out by a qualified clinician, and receive the outcome.
Things to check first
Confirm the provider currently accepts Right to Choose referrals, that their waiting list is open, and who carries out the assessment. It is also worth understanding how any later medication or shared-care arrangement would work with your GP, as this can vary. Our guide to finding a provider covers what to look for, and you can compare routes in NHS vs private ADHD assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Who can use NHS Right to Choose?
Right to Choose applies to most adults in England who are registered with an NHS GP and are being referred for a first outpatient appointment, including some ADHD assessments. There are some exceptions. It does not apply in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, which have their own systems. Your GP can confirm whether it applies to you.
Does Right to Choose cost anything?
No. It is an NHS route, so the assessment is free at the point of use. You are choosing a different NHS-funded provider, not paying privately.
Can my GP refuse a Right to Choose referral?
Your GP should support a valid Right to Choose request to an approved provider that offers the service on the NHS. If you meet the criteria, the legal right is yours. If there is a problem, ask the practice to explain in writing, and you can raise it with your local NHS body.
Is a Right to Choose provider as good as my local NHS service?
Approved providers must meet NHS standards and follow recognised guidance such as NICE NG87. As with any provider, it is sensible to check who carries out the assessment and how. We cover this in our guide to finding a provider.
Editor, ADHD Helper
Oliver leads ADHD Helper's editorial coverage of adult ADHD. He researches and writes the plain-English explainers on getting an ADHD assessment through NHS Right to Choose or privately, and on the products and tools people use to manage ADHD, drawing on guidance from the NHS, NICE and the Royal College of Psychiatrists. He is clear that the site is information, not medical advice, and that diagnosis is for a registered clinician.
Last reviewed: 8 June 2026