NHS Right to Choose: How to Get a Free ADHD Assessment

The NHS Right to Choose (RTC) is a legal entitlement that allows patients in England to choose which provider delivers their NHS-funded care -- including ADHD assessments. It is one of the most important but least-known options available to adults seeking an ADHD diagnosis in the UK.

What is the Right to Choose?

Under the NHS Choice Framework and the NHS Constitution, patients who are referred by their GP for a mental health assessment have the right to choose any provider that holds an NHS standard contract for that service. This includes some private providers who have contracted with NHS England to deliver ADHD assessments.

The Right to Choose was strengthened for mental health services in 2021, meaning that GPs are now required to offer patients a choice of provider when making a referral for mental health conditions -- including ADHD.

Am I eligible?

You may be eligible for an NHS-funded assessment under Right to Choose if:

• You are registered with an NHS GP in England (this does not apply in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, which have separate systems)
• Your GP agrees to refer you for an ADHD assessment
• The provider you choose holds an NHS standard contract for ADHD assessment services

There is no age restriction for Right to Choose, and it applies to adults as well as children.

How do I request it? A step-by-step guide

Step 1: Book an appointment with your NHS GP and explain that you are experiencing symptoms consistent with adult ADHD. Bring a list of your specific symptoms and how they affect your daily life.

Step 2: Ask your GP to refer you for an ADHD assessment under the NHS Right to Choose. Specifically request that the referral be made under the NHS Choice Framework.

Step 3: Specify the provider you wish to be referred to. Not all private providers hold NHS contracts, so confirm this in advance.

Step 4: Your GP sends the referral. The provider will contact you to arrange your assessment.

Step 5: Your assessment is carried out and funded by the NHS. You do not pay for the assessment itself.

What if my GP refuses?

Not all GPs are familiar with the Right to Choose for ADHD. Some may initially decline, citing unfamiliarity with the process or local commissioning arrangements. However, your GP is legally required to offer you a choice of provider when making a referral for mental health services.

If your GP refuses, you can ask for the refusal in writing and the specific clinical reason, contact your local Integrated Care Board (ICB) to raise a concern, or contact NHS England directly. You also have the right to seek a second opinion from another GP within the same practice.

Right to Choose vs self-funded private assessment: a comparison

Important caveats

Waiting times under Right to Choose may still be longer than a self-funded private assessment, but the cost is covered by the NHS. The quality of the assessment and report can vary between providers. Some areas of England have more NHS-contracted providers than others, which affects availability.

If you are struggling significantly and cannot wait, a self-funded private assessment remains the fastest route to diagnosis and treatment. Many patients choose to self-fund their assessment and then use the resulting report to access NHS-funded treatment and shared care for medication.

After your Right to Choose assessment

Whether you are assessed under Right to Choose or through a self-funded private assessment, the outcome is the same: a written clinical report confirming or ruling out ADHD, with recommendations for treatment and support. This report can be used to access medication through your GP under a shared care arrangement, apply for workplace adjustments, and access educational or social support.