Using Right to Choose is simpler than most people think. Here is every step, explained clearly.
Quick answer: The Right to Choose process has 5 main steps: prepare your evidence, book a GP appointment, name your provider, track your referral, and attend your assessment. Most people complete the entire process in 8 to 20 weeks.
Before you see your GP, prepare the information that will support your referral request. This is not about proving you have ADHD. It is about giving your GP enough context to make the referral.
GPs make referral decisions based on clinical need. The clearer your evidence, the smoother the conversation. A prepared patient is much more likely to leave the appointment with a referral in hand.
Call your GP surgery and book an appointment specifically to discuss ADHD. If possible, request a double appointment. A standard 10-minute slot is rarely enough for this conversation.
Before your GP appointment, decide which Right to Choose provider you want to be referred to. Have their details ready so your GP can process the referral immediately.
Bring the provider's name, referral email or form link, and any specific instructions they have for GPs. Some providers have a dedicated referral page for GPs. Making it easy for your GP makes it more likely the referral is sent the same day.
After your GP sends the referral, you should receive a confirmation from the provider. This usually arrives by email within 1 to 2 weeks.
Contact your GP surgery and ask them to confirm the referral was sent. Then contact the provider directly to check if they received it. Referrals occasionally get lost or delayed, especially if the GP used the wrong referral pathway. Do not wait longer than 2 weeks without following up.
The assessment itself is a clinical interview with a specialist. It typically lasts 1 to 2 hours and covers your symptoms, history, and daily life.
Once your assessment is complete, the next steps depend on the outcome. Here is what to expect in each scenario.
If medication is recommended, the Right to Choose provider will usually start you on a low dose and monitor you for the first few weeks. Once the dose is stable and working well, they transfer prescribing to your GP under a shared care agreement. Your GP then continues to issue prescriptions and monitor you at regular intervals.
Shared care works because the specialist sets the treatment plan and the GP follows it. Most GPs are comfortable with this arrangement. If your GP raises concerns, the provider can usually address them directly.
Diagnosis is not the end of the process. Many people benefit from a combination of medication, workplace adjustments, behavioural strategies, and peer support. Your provider or GP can point you toward local and national resources, including ADHD support groups and coaching services.
Most Right to Choose referrals go smoothly, but problems can happen. Here is how to handle the most common issues.
This happens more often than it should. If you have not heard from the provider within 2 weeks, call your GP surgery to confirm the referral was sent. If it was, contact the provider directly. If it was not, ask the GP to resend it immediately. Keep a note of dates and who you spoke to.
Your GP cannot legally refuse a valid Right to Choose referral. If they do, stay calm and ask them to explain their reasoning. If they cite policy or local guidelines, remind them that Right to Choose is a legal right under the NHS Act 2006. If they still refuse, escalate to the practice manager, then your local Integrated Care Board (ICB), then NHS England. Full escalation steps are on our Legal Rights page.
If your chosen provider has an unexpected delay or cancels your appointment, you can ask your GP to redirect the referral to a different provider. You do not need to start the process from scratch. Your GP simply sends a new referral.
An inconclusive result means the specialist needs more information before making a diagnosis. This is not a rejection. They may ask for additional screening, a collateral history from someone who knew you as a child, or a follow-up appointment. Provide what they ask for and the process continues.
Some GPs are reluctant to prescribe ADHD medication under shared care. If this happens, ask the provider to contact your GP directly to discuss the arrangement. If the GP still refuses, you can ask to see a different GP at the same practice, register with a different surgery, or escalate through the practice manager.
Most people complete the process in 8 to 20 weeks. This includes getting a GP referral (1 to 2 weeks), waiting for a provider appointment (6 to 16 weeks), and attending the assessment itself.
Yes. Prepare examples of how ADHD symptoms affect your daily life, complete an ASRS self-screening, and have your chosen provider's details ready. Booking a double appointment gives you enough time.
Some GPs are not familiar with Right to Choose for ADHD. Bring a printed summary of the NHS Act 2006, Section 75, and the name of your chosen provider. You can also reference NHS England guidance on patient choice.
Contact your GP surgery to confirm the referral was sent. Then contact the provider directly to check if they have received it. Referrals occasionally get lost in the system.
The assessment is a clinical interview lasting 1 to 2 hours. The specialist will ask about childhood and adult symptoms, daily impact, family history, and may use standardised screening tools. Some providers also ask for a collateral history from someone who knew you as a child.
If the assessment is inconclusive, the provider may recommend further evaluation, request additional information, or suggest a follow-up appointment. An inconclusive result does not mean you do not have ADHD. It means more information is needed.
My ADHD Path walks you through every step, from your first GP appointment to life after diagnosis. Free Navigator tool, provider comparison, and step-by-step guidance.