The NHS Right to Choose is a legal right under the NHS Constitution and Section 75 of the NHS Act 2006 that entitles adults in England to choose their preferred provider for a first outpatient ADHD or ASD assessment, fully funded by the NHS. It doesn’t require joining a local waiting list, and it doesn’t require existing on one either. Adults who haven’t been assessed can go directly to their GP, name Insight Diagnostics as their chosen provider, and be referred without waiting for a local service to become available.
According to a Psychiatrist in UK at Insight Diagnostics, “Right to Choose is probably the most underused access route we see. A lot of adults don’t know it exists, and some GPs aren’t familiar with the process either. But the right is clear, the pathway is straightforward, and it means the same consultant-led assessment that would otherwise cost several hundred pounds privately is fully funded for eligible patients.”
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Who Is Eligible, and What Does the Right to Choose Actually Cover?
The eligibility criteria are broader than most people expect. You don’t need a long GP history of ADHD concerns. You don’t need a prior referral that’s been sitting on a waiting list. The right applies at the point of first outpatient referral.
Eligibility: Adults aged 18 and over who are registered with a GP in England and have a suspected but undiagnosed neurodevelopmental condition qualify. You must not have already been seen for a first outpatient appointment for this condition under the NHS.
What Insight Diagnostics assesses via Right to Choose: Adult ADHD assessment across all presentations, ASD assessment, and ADHD medication titration following a confirmed diagnosis. Assessments are conducted via secure video consultation. There is no cost to the patient at any stage.
ICB Indicative Activity Plans: Some Integrated Care Boards across England have introduced activity limits on how many patients independent providers can assess within a financial year. Once a referral is received, Insight Diagnostics will confirm whether this applies to your area and what it means for timing.
The waiting time at Insight Diagnostics: Currently approximately two to three weeks from referral acceptance. Medication titration, where needed, begins around six to eight weeks after assessment. Waiting times are updated monthly and also published on the ADHD UK website.
Full details of the Right to Choose service at Insight Diagnostics are on the ADHD assessment page.
How Do You Actually Start the Process, and What Should You Expect?
The mechanics of getting a Right to Choose referral are simpler than most patients assume. The GP does the administrative work. Your job is to know what to ask for and who to name.
Step one – the GP conversation: At your next GP appointment, say you’d like to exercise your NHS Right to Choose for an ADHD assessment and that you’d like to be referred to Insight Diagnostics. Having the provider’s name ready matters. GPs who haven’t used Right to Choose before sometimes push back, but the right is legally grounded, and a polite but clear request is usually enough.
Step two – the GP referral: Your GP completes the Insight Diagnostics referral form and sends it to the NHS email address: kmicb.insightdiagnostics@nhs.net. Referral forms are available to download directly from the Insight Diagnostics Right to Choose page. The GP can print and post, or the patient can bring a printed form to the appointment.
Step three – booking confirmation: Once the referral is received and processed, Insight Diagnostics confirms receipt with the GP and sends the patient a booking link. You choose the appointment and the specific clinician from those available within the scheme.
If your GP declines: GPs are legally required to offer Right to Choose referrals to eligible patients. If a GP declines without valid clinical grounds, you can ask for a written explanation and escalate to NHS England or your local Integrated Care Board. This situation is uncommon but worth knowing about.
For adults comparing the Right to Choose route with the standard NHS pathway or private options, the guide on the NHS roles covers the full picture clearly.
Why Choose Insight Diagnostics to know how NHS Right to Choose ADHD Works?
Insight Diagnostics is commissioned by the NHS to provide adult ADHD and ASD assessments via the Right to Choose pathway. It’s a CQC-regulated service led by GMC-registered consultant psychiatrists, also accepted by Vitality and Aviva insurance for patients using those routes. Reports are issued within five working days.
The Right to Choose process at Insight Diagnostics runs from GP referral to assessment in approximately two to three weeks, with the same clinical standard as the private service. Same clinicians, same structured assessment, same report.
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FAQ’s
What is the NHS Right to Choose for ADHD?
The NHS Right to Choose is a legal right under the NHS Constitution and Section 75 of the NHS Act 2006 that allows adults in England to request their GP refer them to an approved independent provider for a first outpatient ADHD or ASD assessment, fully funded by the NHS.
Do I need to be on an NHS waiting list to use Right to Choose?
No. You do not need to be on an NHS waiting list. You simply ask your GP to refer you to an approved provider of your choice rather than the local NHS service.
How long does it take to get an ADHD assessment via Right to Choose at Insight Diagnostics?
Current waiting time at Insight Diagnostics is approximately two to three weeks after the referral has been received and processed. Delays may occur if GP practices take longer to submit referral documentation.
What happens if my GP refuses to refer me via Right to Choose?
Your GP is legally required to offer you a Right to Choose referral if you are eligible. If they decline without valid clinical reason, you can request a written explanation and escalate to NHS England or your ICB.