What is the Right to Choose pathway?
Short answer
Right to Choose is the name often used for your legal right, in England, to choose which provider a GP refers you to for a physical or mental health condition. The NHS says your GP can use it to look for an ADHD clinic with a shorter wait, including some private clinics that provide NHS services. It does not apply in every situation.
Many adults in England first hear about Right to Choose from friends or online forums, often with a lot of conflicting detail. This page sticks to what official NHS pages say. Local arrangements vary, so your GP practice and local integrated care board (ICB) are the places to confirm how it works in your area.
What the NHS says
How it works in practice
- You see your GP and discuss a referral for an adult ADHD assessment.
- You tell the GP you would like to use your right to choose a provider.
- The GP offers a shortlist of suitable services.
- The referral is booked through the NHS e-Referral Service, at the surgery or online.
- The chosen service contacts you about next steps.
It helps to look up providers in advance and bring their names, but the GP decides which options are clinically suitable for the shortlist.
When it may not apply
These pages describe the position in England. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland run their own health services, so if you live there, ask your GP what choice of provider is available to you.
If you feel you were not offered a choice
Questions to ask a provider before choosing
- Do you provide adult ADHD assessments under an NHS contract in England?
- Who carries out the assessment, and what does it include?
- What happens after an assessment, and how do you work with GPs?
- How will you contact me, and what if I miss a message?
Asking about what happens after the assessment is worth the time, because arrangements with your GP can differ between providers. Your GP practice can tell you whether it has any local guidance on working with particular services.
A starting point for your next step.
Planning a GP visit to ask about Right to Choose? Take the free ASRS screener first so you have a short, recent summary to share.Frequently asked questions
Is Right to Choose available in Scotland or Wales?
The NHS choices page describes rights in England. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have their own arrangements, so ask your GP what applies where you live.
Does Right to Choose mean I pay for a private clinic?
No. The NHS says it can include private providers that deliver NHS services, with the appointment funded by the NHS rather than by you.
Can I use Right to Choose without a GP?
The NHS describes the right as applying when your GP refers you, so a GP appointment is the starting point.
Sources
Source check: 2026-10-28. No medical review has occurred.
- NHS website (nhs.uk), "Your choices in the NHS"
- NHS, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults
Published 2026-10-28. Factual source check: ADHDFalcon editorial team, factual source check, 2026-10-28. No medical review has occurred.