In England you have a legal right to choose who carries out your NHS assessment. ChoiceRoute builds your personal route, helps you gather the evidence your GP needs, and writes every letter for you.
Answer six questions. You get a plan for your exact situation, including what to do if Right to Choose doesn't apply to you.
GPs refer when they can see a clear picture. Tick what fits, add real examples, and it all flows into your letter. These prompts help you describe your experiences; they are not a diagnostic test.
Tip: GPs look for difficulties that started in childhood and show up in more than one part of life. Old school reports and a parent's or partner's account help a lot.
Built from your route and evidence. It updates as you type and adapts for adults, children, ADHD and autism.
Bring a printed copy, or send it to the surgery before your appointment. Book a longer appointment if your practice offers it.
Speed matters, but so does what happens after diagnosis. Check these before you name a provider to your GP.
The provider must hold an NHS Standard Contract for this service with an ICB in England or NHS England. Ask them which ICB.
Some areas cap referrals. Ask if they can accept a referral from your ICB right now.
Many take adults only. Check minimum ages and whether they assess autism, ADHD or both.
Ask whether titration (finding the right dose) is included under the NHS contract.
Ask how they handle it if your GP won't take over prescribing.
Check the provider's CQC registration and latest inspection on the CQC website.
No provider pays to appear here. Listed alphabetically. Contracts, ages and waits change often, so confirm with the provider.
Add dates as things happen. We'll tell you when it's time to chase. Saved only in this browser.
A GP can decline if they don't think an assessment is clinically appropriate. They should not refuse just because the provider has no contract with your local ICB, because a contract with any ICB in England qualifies. Stay calm and polite; most problems are fixed at the first step.
Ask whether the reason is clinical or about the provider's contract. Ask the practice to check the contract with your ICB.
Bring your evidence summary and any new information, such as school reports or a family member's account.
Use the practice complaints procedure. Complaints should normally be made within 12 months of the event.
You can complain to the ICB instead of the practice. Find your ICB.
If you're unhappy with the final NHS response, the Ombudsman can review it. You usually need to go to them within 12 months.
You can ask your employer for reasonable adjustments now, without a diagnosis. Access to Work may fund support.
Children can get SEN support at school based on need, without a diagnosis. Ask the SENCo for a meeting.
If medication is offered, the provider adjusts the dose over several weeks and checks blood pressure, pulse and weight.
Your GP may take over prescribing under a shared care agreement. GPs can decline, so ask early.
Ask for a copy of your assessment report and check your GP has received it.
Waiting is hard. Tell your GP if your mood, sleep or coping gets worse.
| Feature | ChoiceRoute | Typical guide |
|---|---|---|
| Personal route for adults, teens and children | Yes | One generic route |
| ADHD and autism covered properly | Yes | Autism often one line |
| Evidence organiser built into the letter | Yes | No |
| Letters for every stage | Referral free, full set in pack | One template or none |
| Step-by-step escalation with time limits | Yes | Rarely |
| Referral tracker with chase reminders | Yes | No |
| Paid provider listings | Never | Often undisclosed |
| Sources and review date shown | Yes | Often missing |
Every letter and checklist for the whole journey, ready to fill in, print or email.
No. A Right to Choose assessment is NHS care, so the NHS pays the provider. Normal prescription charges may apply to medication.
No. For mental health services, the referral must come from your GP. Self-referral means a private, paid assessment.
Yes, if your child is registered with a GP in England and the provider holds an NHS contract for children's assessments. Fewer providers assess children, so check ages first.
Right to Choose doesn't apply if you're already receiving care after a referral for the same condition. Ask your GP how your case stands before asking for a new referral.
Right to Choose applies only in England. Ask your GP about local neurodevelopmental services and waiting times in your health board or trust.
Some providers accept a GP referral for treatment after a private diagnosis. Your GP may ask for the full report first.
Nothing leaves your device. Letters are built in your browser, and the tracker saves only in this browser.
What to do if your GP won't refer you for an ADHD or autism assessment under Right to Choose, step by step.
How to use NHS Right to Choose for an adult or child autism assessment in England, and how it differs from ADHD.
A parent's guide to using NHS Right to Choose for a child's ADHD or autism assessment in England.
Some NHS areas are capping Right to Choose ADHD referrals in 2026/27. What a cap means and what you can do.
A free, copy-and-paste letter asking your GP for an ADHD assessment referral under NHS Right to Choose.
How long adults wait for an NHS ADHD assessment in England, and how Right to Choose can change it.
What happens if your GP won't agree to shared care for ADHD medication after a Right to Choose diagnosis.
Using NHS Right to Choose for an ADHD or autism assessment in Birmingham and Solihull, including the 2026 booking pause.
Using NHS Right to Choose for an ADHD assessment in London: how the five London ICBs handle referrals and limits.
The steps to an adult ADHD diagnosis on the NHS in England, from your GP to a specialist assessment.
Should you wait for a free NHS Right to Choose ADHD assessment or pay privately? Cost, waits and medication compared.
How NHS Right to Choose works for ADHD and autism assessments in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland in 2026/27.
How Right to Choose ADHD referrals and annual limits work in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight's 2026 changes to Right to Choose ADHD and autism referrals, and the new triage hub.
ChoiceRoute is independent. No provider pays to be listed or ranked. Content is reviewed by an NHS psychiatrist and checked against the sources below. Last reviewed: October 2026.