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NHS Right to Choose · ADHD · England

NHS Right to Choose for ADHD,and the 2026 reality.

Right to Choose lets you pick your NHS assessment provider in England. In 2026 it is under strain and stalling in many areas — here is how it works and what your options are.

Explore your options →What it is

Impartial explainer · CQC-registered clinics · Free screening

  • GMC-reviewed content
  • CQC-registered clinics
  • UKAAN/CAAQAS quality standards
  • Free for patients
The basics

What is NHS Right to Choose?

NHS Right to Choose is your legal right in England to choose which provider carries out your NHS assessment, including for ADHD, when your GP refers you. In principle it lets you pick an approved provider with a shorter wait, at no cost to you, funded by the NHS.

Right to Choose applies in England only. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run different systems, so the details below do not apply there.

The 2026 reality

Why the free route is stalling in many areas

Demand for ADHD assessments has risen sharply, and Right to Choose funding is decided locally by Integrated Care Boards. In a number of areas, ICBs have reached funded activity limits or approved providers have paused new bookings — so referrals may stay open while bookings are effectively on hold. The right still exists; access to it does not follow automatically.

The picture changes area by area and month by month. We report only what can be sourced for your specific area, rather than implying the route has collapsed everywhere — because it has not.

Your options

Three routes to an ADHD assessment

Wait on Right to Choose

Keep your Right to Choose referral if it is active and funded in your area. It is free, but timelines depend on local funding and the provider you choose — check your local position first.

Standard NHS route

Your local NHS ADHD pathway without choosing a provider. Also free, but waiting lists in many areas are long, which is what leads people to consider the alternatives.

Private assessment

A paid assessment with a matched CQC-registered clinic — typically within weeks. ThinkBetter matches you after a free screening, so you can weigh it against the free routes without commitment.

Why ThinkBetter

Faster does not mean lower quality

Anyone can promise speed. Our difference is honest quality governance — the CQC-registered clinics we match you with also work to recognised UK quality standards, with multidisciplinary support and clinical supervision.

Dr Miriana Vrajitoriu

Content clinically reviewed by Dr Miriana Vrajitoriu

Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, Founder & Medical Director

GMC 7211553

  • Named clinical reviewer. Our clinical content is reviewed by a Consultant Psychiatrist on the GMC Specialist Register — not anonymous.
  • MDT support and supervision. Matched clinics work to recognised UK quality standards (such as UKAAN/CAAQAS), with multidisciplinary input and clinical supervision.
  • NICE-compliant, GP-ready reports. Assessments produce a thorough, NICE-compliant report designed to be GP-ready. Whether a GP offers shared care is at their discretion — we never guarantee acceptance, and we would be wary of anyone who does.
Good questions

NHS Right to Choose for ADHD: FAQ

Is Right to Choose still available for ADHD?
In England, the legal right to choose your NHS provider still exists. In practice, access varies by area: some Integrated Care Boards have introduced restrictions or paused new bookings as demand outstrips funding. Check your local position before relying on it.
Why has my Right to Choose referral stalled?
Referrals can stall when a local ICB reaches its funded activity limit or an approved provider pauses new bookings. The right to choose remains, but funding and capacity are decided locally, so timelines differ significantly between areas.
How long is the Right to Choose wait for ADHD?
Waits vary widely by provider and area, from several months to a long wait comparable to standard NHS routes where demand is high. There is no single national figure — timelines depend on the provider you choose and local capacity.
Is a private ADHD assessment faster than Right to Choose?
Often, yes. A private assessment with a matched CQC-registered clinic can typically start within weeks, whereas Right to Choose timelines depend on local funding and provider capacity. ThinkBetter matches you with a private clinic if the free route is not workable for you.
Will a private ADHD diagnosis be accepted by my GP?
Matched clinics produce thorough, NICE-compliant, GP-ready reports. Whether a GP offers shared care is at their discretion and never guaranteed — the quality of the report and the clinic governance is what helps it stand up to review.
Private ADHD assessment →What a private assessment costs →

Not sure which route is right for you?

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