Right to Choose ASD & ADHD Pathways

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What is a Right to Choose NHS referral?

  • You as a patient have a legal right to choose where you have your NHS treatment.
  • If you are referred for, consultant led treatment or to a mental health professional, you can 1. Decide which provider you would like to receive care from 2. Choose the clinical team who will be in charge of your care within that provider organisation.
  • These choices apply to both physical and mental health but only apply at the point of referral to providers that have an NHS contract to provide the service the patient needs.
  • Please see the following link and leaflet for further in depth information https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-choice-framework/the-nhs-choice-framework-what-choices-are-available-to-me-in-the-nhs  

Are there exceptions to this legal right and any restrictions in place?

  • Yes there are, details of which can be viewed on the links above.
  • It is important to note that the provider needs to hold a qualifying NHS Standard Contract with any ICB (Integrated Care Board) or NHS England for the service that the patient requires and the team must be led by a named consultant or health care professional that is employed or engaged by the provider.

Who can offer Right to Choose Assessments?

Important considerations

  • It is very important to note that many of the clinics offer diagnosis but are rarely able to offer medication titration. This may mean that you might be able to obtain a diagnosis but you will need a local NHS referral should you need to continue the medication long term to control your symptoms. More information on this can be seen on the links above.
  • If a clinic offers diagnosis but not medication titration, this is not something the GP will be able to prescribe for you under the Shared Care Prescribing agreements.
  • Some patients may feel that a diagnosis is sufficient for their needs in which case this process may suit their requirements.

Process for requesting a Right to Choose Referral

  • For all Right to choose referrals, the patient or their family if a child, will need to complete their own research and choose a clinic themselves. We cannot offer advice and support with this.
  • Once you have chosen your clinic please send us an enquiry along with any completed AQ10 (ASD) and ASRS (ADHD) forms and relevant forms from the provider for the attention of the secretary. Please send as much supporting information as possible which will help reduce rejected referrals or contacting you to ask for further information.
  • For ADHD referrals, the following website can be used to collect information together along with a completed ASRS to send directly to the practice- https://thinkadhd.co.uk