Most adults in England are told to wait years for an ADHD assessment. You have a legal right to choose an NHS-funded provider with a much shorter waiting time.
Source: ADHD UK | Psychiatry-UK
Over 2 million adults in the UK are estimated to have undiagnosed ADHD. NHS waiting lists for assessment now exceed 5 years in many areas. But Right to Choose - a legal right under the NHS Act 2006 - lets you bypass the wait entirely. Most people don't know it exists.
Source: BBC News ADHD investigation, 2024 | ADHD UK
No private fees. No hidden costs.
A private ADHD assessment costs between 1,000 and 3,000. Right to Choose is NHS-funded. Your referral is still through the NHS - you are simply choosing where it goes. Same assessment, no bill.
Local NHS services can mean waiting years. Right to Choose providers are typically much faster.
Many Right to Choose providers assess within 2-6 months. Some offer initial screening within weeks. Compare that to 5+ year waits in many NHS areas. The difference between waiting and moving forward.
Source: Psychiatry-UK
Right to Choose is not a special favour. It is a patient right in England.
Section 75 of the NHS Act 2006 gives you a legal basis for asking for an NHS-funded referral to a provider of your choice. Your GP cannot refuse a valid request. If anyone blocks you, there are clear escalation routes - and the law is on your side.
Source: NHS Act 2006, Section 75
You are not getting a shortcut or a lower standard.
You are still being assessed by specialist clinicians through an NHS-funded route. Results go into your NHS records. If diagnosed, medication can be initiated immediately by the provider and transferred to your GP for ongoing prescriptions.
Right to Choose means you can ask your GP to refer you to an NHS-funded ADHD provider of your choice, instead of automatically joining your local waiting list.
In practice, this can mean the difference between waiting years and being seen in months.
Right to Choose is part of Section 75 of the NHS Act 2006. It gives you the right to choose where you receive NHS-funded care. For ADHD, this means you can request your GP referral go to a provider outside your local area - cutting waiting times from years to months.
Source: NHS Act 2006, Section 75 - legislation.gov.uk
Normally, your GP referral goes to your local NHS ADHD service. That service has a long waiting list - sometimes 5+ years. Right to Choose lets you name a specific NHS-funded provider instead, get assessed as long as they can see you within their capacity, and move forward in months rather than years.
Source: BBC News ADHD investigation, 2024 | ADHD UK
You may be able to use Right to Choose if:
Note: Right to Choose currently applies in England only. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have separate NHS systems.
Source: NHS England - Your choices in the NHS
Free at point of use. Legal right. Doesn't require a private diagnosis. Results feed into NHS records. Assessment is thorough and diagnostic. Medication can be prescribed via NHS.
You pay out of pocket (typically 1,000 - 3,000+). No legal guarantee of access. Faster but costly. Results are private unless you share them. Still requires GP follow-up for NHS treatment.
Here's exactly how to use your Right to Choose:
Notice whether your symptoms fit ADHD traits - inattention, impulsivity, hyperactivity, disorganisation, emotional dysregulation, or long-term struggles since childhood. Use our free ASRS screening for evidence.
Write down your symptoms, how they affect daily life, and examples from work, school, home, or relationships. Book a double appointment if you can - 10 minutes is not enough for this conversation.
Research NHS-funded providers that accept Right to Choose referrals. Compare waiting times, process, medication support, and whether they assess adults, children, or both. Bring the provider details with you.
Tell your GP you would like an ADHD referral and specify your chosen Right to Choose provider. Be clear and direct. If they hesitate, remind them of Section 75 of the NHS Act 2006.
Once referred, keep track of forms, appointments, and next steps. Understand what happens before assessment, after diagnosis, and if medication is offered. Don't let anything slip through the cracks.
Get clear, step-by-step guidance that helps you cut through NHS delays, understand what's happening at every stage, and finally get the support you deserve.
You still need to choose a provider, prepare for your GP appointment, understand what happens after diagnosis, and know what to do about medication, work, and next steps. My ADHD Path helps you navigate the whole journey - not just the referral.