Knowledge hub
NHS Right to Choose, explained properly
Written by the team that staffs these pathways, so it covers what happens after the diagnosis as well as how to get one.
Short answer
NHS Right to Choose lets most patients in England pick which provider carries out their assessment, including ADHD and autism. Where local waits run into years, an independent NHS-contracted provider can often assess within weeks or months, at no cost to the patient.
What is NHS Right to Choose?
Start here
By condition
Treatment and workforce
Common questions
- What is NHS Right to Choose?
- A legal right in England allowing eligible patients to choose their provider for a first outpatient appointment, including ADHD and autism assessment, where that provider holds an NHS contract. Care remains free.
- Does Right to Choose apply outside England?
- No. The right applies in England only. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run different arrangements and do not offer an equivalent statutory choice.
- How much faster is it?
- In 2026 independent Right to Choose providers commonly assess within 6 to 20 weeks for adult ADHD, against local NHS waits often quoted in years.
For providers
The pathway is only as fast as the bench behind it
Assessors, independent prescribers, supervising clinicians and consultant psychiatrists, credentialed and clinic-ready. Tell us the constraint and we will tell you honestly whether we can shift it.