Is the NHS Right to Choose pathway for ADHD currently paused?

As of 2026, over 8 NHS Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) have paused new bookings for Right to Choose ADHD assessments due to budget caps. These include Hampshire, Surrey Heartlands, Frimley, Black Country, West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, North Central London, and Coventry and Warwickshire (over 25s only). A pause means providers cannot book a date immediately, but they will still accept referrals and hold your place in the queue. It is still worth getting the referral sent now.

Can I get an ADHD assessment faster on the NHS?

Yes, through the NHS Right to Choose pathway. Ask your GP to refer you to an approved independent provider such as ADHD 360, Psychiatry UK, or Clinical Partners. You will need to bring evidence including a completed ASRS-v1.1 screener and examples of how your symptoms affect daily life. The ShorterWait ADHD Switch Pack includes everything you need: referral letters, evidence checklist, conversation script, provider guide, and escalation letters if your GP refuses.

How long does an ADHD Right to Choose assessment take?

Once the referral is accepted by the provider, the assessment itself typically consists of one to two sessions of 60 to 90 minutes each. Most providers complete the assessment and issue a written report within 4 to 8 weeks of the first appointment. The full process from referral to report is typically 3 to 12 months depending on provider and ICB.

Updated June 2026 · NHS England data

NHS ADHD Assessment Waiting Times in England: 2026

Q: How long is the NHS wait for an ADHD assessment in 2026?

The average NHS ADHD assessment wait in England is over 2 years. In high-demand areas including Kent, Sussex, and parts of London, waits are reported at 5 to 7 years. Through the NHS Right to Choose pathway, assessments with independent providers typically take 3 to 12 months, depending on your ICB and which provider you choose.

Q: What is NHS Right to Choose for ADHD?

NHS Right to Choose is a legal right under the NHS Constitution (Right 6a) that allows patients to ask their GP to refer them to any provider with an NHS Standard Contract for their first outpatient appointment. For ADHD and autism assessments, this means bypassing the local NHS waiting list and being referred to an approved independent provider, at no cost to the patient.

The NHS ADHD waiting list is 3 to 7 years in most of England. Under NHS law, there is a legal pathway that gets most patients assessed in 3 to 12 months instead. This page explains the difference, which areas are currently paused, and exactly what to do.

3-7 yrs

Standard NHS wait

3-12 mo

Right to Choose wait

8+ ICBs

Currently paused

What is NHS Right to Choose for ADHD?

Under the NHS Constitution (Right 6a), you have the legal right to ask your GP to refer you to any provider with an NHS Standard Contract for your first outpatient appointment. For ADHD and autism assessments, this means asking your GP to refer you to an approved independent provider such as ADHD 360, Psychiatry UK, or Clinical Partners, instead of the local NHS waiting list.

This is not a private referral. The assessment is fully NHS-funded. There is no cost to you. The wait through Right to Choose is typically 3 to 12 months, compared to 3 to 7 years on the standard NHS pathway in most areas.

The pathway has existed since 2009 under the Health Act and the NHS Constitution. Most GPs are aware of it but not all proactively offer it. You need to ask.

ICBs with current pauses or restrictions (June 2026)

These areas have hit their annual budget cap. Providers will still accept referrals and hold your place in the queue. Get the referral sent now even if your area is listed below.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB
Surrey Heartlands ICB
Frimley Health and Care ICB
Black Country ICB
West Yorkshire ICB
Greater Manchester ICB
North Central London ICB
Coventry and Warwickshire ICB (adults over 25 only)

Status changes monthly. Check your specific provider's website before requesting a referral. See our Right to Choose hub for the full provider status tracker.

How to get an ADHD assessment faster on the NHS

Check your ICB status

Find out if your area is paused before your GP appointment. Use the ADHD UK provider tracker (adhduk.co.uk) or check each major provider's website for your ICB name.

Complete your ASRS-v1.1 screener

The WHO Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale is a 6-question screener. A score of 4 or more highlighted items is the NICE threshold for referral. Print your completed form and bring it.

Prepare your childhood evidence

Assessments require evidence of symptoms before age 12. A short written note about school difficulties, what teachers said, or any SEN support received is sufficient.

Choose a provider and confirm they accept referrals

Call or email the provider before your GP appointment. Ask if they accept Right to Choose referrals from your ICB, and whether they are currently open or paused.

Ask your GP to refer you by name

Hand your GP the referral letter and evidence. Name the specific provider. If your GP pushes back, use the conversation script to address common objections. If they refuse without a clinical reason, use the escalation letter.

The ADHD Switch Pack

Everything above, done for you. 9 documents. £19.99 one-time.

ICB status guide (open vs paused, what to do if paused)
GP referral letters for ADHD and autism
Evidence checklist and ASRS-v1.1 guide
Conversation script with GP objection responses
Provider guide: 22 providers, 5 questions to ask
GP refusal escalation letter to ICB PALS

Get the ADHD Switch Pack

Common questions

How long is the NHS wait for an ADHD assessment in 2026?

Over 2 years on average across England. In high-demand areas including Kent, Sussex, and parts of London, waits are 5 to 7 years. Through Right to Choose, assessments with independent providers typically take 3 to 12 months.

What is NHS Right to Choose for ADHD?

A legal right under the NHS Constitution (Right 6a). You ask your GP to refer you to any approved independent provider instead of the local NHS list. No extra cost to you. The provider must hold an NHS Standard Contract.

My area is paused. Should I still get a referral?

Yes. A paused provider will accept the referral and hold your place in the queue until funding restarts (usually each April). Not having a referral puts you at the back of a new queue later. Get the referral sent now.

What evidence do I need to bring to my GP?

A completed ASRS-v1.1 screener (score of 4 or more is NICE threshold for ADHD referral), a written note about childhood symptoms, and a brief statement of how your symptoms affect you now. Patients who arrive with evidence are far more likely to get referred.

What if my GP refuses?

Ask them to confirm the refusal in writing. GPs are far less likely to refuse once they know it will be documented. If they still refuse without a clinical reason, you can escalate to your ICB PALS team. The ADHD Switch Pack includes a formal escalation letter.

Does this work for autism as well as ADHD?

Yes. The same Right to Choose pathway applies to autism assessment referrals. The legal basis is NICE CG142 rather than NICE CG72, and the AQ-10 screening tool replaces the ASRS-v1.1. The ADHD Switch Pack covers both pathways with separate referral letters.

Also on ShorterWait

NHS Right to Choose hub: elective care switching guide ADHD Switch Pack: 9-document referral toolkit, £19.99

Written by Dr Oluwatosin Taiwo, MBBS, MRCGP, NHS GP Partner. Content accurate as of June 2026. NHS Right to Choose applies in England only. This page provides factual information only and does not constitute medical advice.