Right to Choose (England)
Right to Choose
ADHD & autism assessments
Under the NHS Right to Choose scheme, patients in England who are referred by their GP for an ADHD or autism assessment have the legal right to select a provider to oversee their care.
As an NHS-approved Right to Choose provider, you can request to have your or your child’s neurodevelopmental assessment performed by our expert team of clinicians.
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I want an online assessment
Check your/your child’s suitability and complete the self-report form(s)
I’m a GP
Refer your patient to our service using our digital process
Our Right to Choose services
Autism service
Aged 7+
Aged 18+
Online autism assessments for adults and children facilitated by our expert clinicians.
If you receive a positive diagnosis, you can access our psychoeducation sessions to deepen your understanding of it.
For clients under the age of 17 who receive an autism diagnosis, your parent or guardian will be invited to attend our psychoeducation sessions.
Adult’s ADHD service
Aged 18+
Online ADHD assessments facilitated by our expert clinicians.
If you receive a positive diagnosis, you can access our psychoeducation sessions to deepen your understanding of it.
We can prescribe ADHD medication where appropriate (only available following a Right to Choose ADHD assessment through us).
Children’s ADHD service
Aged 7-17
Coming soon
Online ADHD assessments facilitated by our expert clinicians.
If you receive a positive diagnosis, you can access our psychoeducation sessions to deepen your understanding of it.
We can prescribe ADHD medication where appropriate (only available following a Right to Choose ADHD assessment through us).
ADHD medication
Please check our ADHD medication suitability criteria
If you’re seeking an ADHD assessment, it’s important to make sure it’s safe and appropriate to prescribe you medication, please check your suitability for our service.
Wait time information
Current wait time
We understand that waiting for an assessment can be challenging, and we are working hard to process referrals as efficiently as possible.
Our wait time for new referrals is currently between 50-70 weeks for autism and 10-15 weeks for ADHD (as of 19/12/25). The wait time for new clients seeking ADHD medication is between 25-40 weeks (as of 05/12/25).
The ADHD medication wait times are separate to the assessments wait times. If your GP submitted your assessment referral request or if you were referred to our meds team for ADHD medication before the dates listed above, we will contact you in due course.
Our customer service team cannot tell you where you are on the wait list, so we kindly ask that you wait to be contacted.
The rising demand for ADHD and autism assessments under the NHS Right to Choose scheme has led to longer wait times. We’re actively recruiting clinicians and introducing new technology to speed up processes, working towards our waitlist goal of 12–24 weeks.
Please visit our FAQs page to help address common queries.
Joining the waitlist
Please remember you will only be added to our waitlist once all of the following steps have been completed:
We’ll email you a link to create an account with us and to complete our intake and risk assessment process.
Once you pass the risk screening, you will need to complete your assessment forms, providing proof of address and a valid ID. After uploading all required forms, you’ll receive a confirmation notification on your account dashboard.
Our Operations team will review your/your child’s forms. Once these checks are complete, we will add you/your child to our wait list.
We’ll email you when you reach the top of our wait list to confirm your interest and ensure you have everything needed for your assessment. After you confirm, we’ll send you a confirmation email with your appointment details.
NHS Funding
NHS Funding and Right to Choose: Important Information
NHS services in your area are commissioned and funded by your local Integrated Care Board (ICB), which is responsible for deciding how healthcare resources are allocated.
Due to the high demand for autism and ADHD assessments across England, some ICBs are currently working within limited budgets. Under NHS guidance, some ICBs may ask providers to temporarily pause Right to Choose assessments until further funding is available, which may affect your GP’s ability to refer you to our service.
We know that this news may be concerning, and we are working with our partners across every NHS ICB to ensure that Right to Choose remains a stable model for assessment, care, and support.
Check the list below to learn more about the guidance we have received from your local ICB. We update this information as soon as more information becomes available.
NHS Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes ICB
We can currently accept new NHS referrals from patients registered with NHS Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes ICB.
The ICB has asked us to deliver services within an agreed funding limit across 2025 and into 2026. This means you can be referred to our service and added to our waiting list, but your assessment may be delayed beyond our advertised wait times if the ICB’s funding limit has been reached.
Your place on the waitlist will be confirmed once the relevant pre-assessment forms have been completed, and an appointment will be offered once additional funding is made available. We are unable to confirm when this will be.
We understand that waiting for an assessment can be difficult and may cause uncertainty. Please be assured that we will share updates as soon as we receive further information from your local ICB.
NHS Black Country ICB
We can currently accept new NHS referrals from patients registered with NHS Black Country ICB.
The ICB has asked us to deliver services within an agreed funding limit across 2025 and into 2026. This means you can be referred to our service and added to our waiting list, but your assessment may be delayed beyond our advertised wait times if the ICB’s funding limit has been reached.
Your place on the waitlist will be confirmed once the relevant pre-assessment forms have been completed, and an appointment will be offered once additional funding is made available. We are unable to confirm when this will be.
We understand that waiting for an assessment can be difficult and may cause uncertainty. Please be assured that we will share updates as soon as we receive further information from your local ICB.
NHS Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire ICB
We can currently accept new NHS referrals from patients registered with NHS Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) ICB.
The ICB has asked us to deliver services within an agreed funding limit across 2025 and into 2026. This means you can be referred to our service and added to our waiting list, but your assessment may be delayed beyond our advertised wait times if the ICB’s funding limit has been reached.
Your place on the waitlist will be confirmed once the relevant pre-assessment forms have been completed, and an appointment will be offered once additional funding is made available. We are unable to confirm when this will be.
We understand that waiting for an assessment can be difficult and may cause uncertainty. Please be assured that we will share updates as soon as we receive further information from your local ICB. More information can be found on the NHS BNSSG ICB Healthier Together website.
NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire West ICB
We can currently accept new NHS referrals from patients registered with NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire West ICB.
The ICB has asked us to deliver services within an agreed funding limit across 2025 and into 2026. This means you can be referred to our service and added to our waiting list, but your assessment may be delayed beyond our advertised wait times if the ICB’s funding limit has been reached.
Your place on the waitlist will be confirmed once the relevant pre-assessment forms have been completed, and an appointment will be offered once additional funding is made available. We are unable to confirm when this will be.
We understand that waiting for an assessment can be difficult and may cause uncertainty. Please be assured that we will share updates as soon as we receive further information from your local ICB.
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ICB
Cheshire and Merseyside have new commissioning guidelines that say that all ADHD assessments and prescribing requires a face to face component. As such, we will no longer be accepting referrals for ADHD from Cheshire and Merseyside ICB
We can currently accept new NHS autism referrals from patients registered with NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ICB.
The ICB has asked us to deliver services within an agreed funding limit across 2025 and into 2026. This means you can be referred to our service and added to our waiting list, but your assessment may be delayed beyond our advertised wait times if the ICB’s funding limit has been reached.
Your place on the waitlist will be confirmed once the relevant pre-assessment forms have been completed, and an appointment will be offered once additional funding is made available. We are unable to confirm when this will be.
We understand that waiting for an assessment can be difficult and may cause uncertainty. Please be assured that we will share updates as soon as we receive further information from your local ICB.
NHS Coventry and Warwickshire ICB
Please note: The following updates only applies to patients seeking an ADHD assessment. Autism assessments are not affected by the following changes.
Following recent guidance from Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), we are currently unable to accept new NHS Right to Choose ADHD referrals for adults aged 25 and over who live in Coventry or Warwickshire.
This is due to a short-term policy introduced by the ICB, which affects which ADHD assessment providers are offered funding by NHS Coventry and Warwickshire ICB.
From 1 June 2025, the ICB will fund ADHD assessments only for individuals who are under 25 at the point of referral, intended to address the significantly longer waiting times for children and young people, which are currently around twice as long as those for adults. More information on this policy change can be found on the Happy Healthy Lives website.
We are continuing to accept ADHD referrals for children and young people under the age of 25 within the Coventry and Warwickshire area to support the ICB in its efforts to cut wait times among this demographic.
However, we are carefully reviewing the impact of this policy on adults 25 and over who are seeking an ADHD assessment and continue to work with the ICB on this issue. More updates will be shared as soon as new information becomes available.
NHS Devon ICB
We can currently accept new NHS referrals from patients registered with NHS Devon ICB.
The ICB has asked us to deliver services within an agreed funding limit across 2025 and into 2026. This means you can be referred to our service and added to our waiting list, but your assessment may be delayed beyond our advertised wait times if the ICB’s funding limit has been reached.
Your place on the waitlist will be confirmed once the relevant pre-assessment forms have been completed, and an appointment will be offered once additional funding is made available. We are unable to confirm when this will be.
We understand that waiting for an assessment can be difficult and may cause uncertainty. Please be assured that we will share updates as soon as we receive further information from your local ICB.
NHS Dorset ICB
We can currently accept new NHS referrals from patients registered with NHS Dorset ICB.
The ICB has asked us to deliver services within an agreed funding limit across 2025 and into 2026. This means you can be referred to our service and added to our waiting list, but your assessment may be delayed beyond our advertised wait times if the ICB’s funding limit has been reached.
Your place on the waitlist will be confirmed once the relevant pre-assessment forms have been completed, and an appointment will be offered once additional funding is made available. We are unable to confirm when this will be.
We understand that waiting for an assessment can be difficult and may cause uncertainty. Please be assured that we will share updates as soon as we receive further information from your local ICB.
NHS Frimley ICB
We can currently accept new NHS referrals from patients registered with NHS Frimley ICB.
The ICB has asked us to deliver services within an agreed funding limit across 2025 and into 2026. This means you can be referred to our service and added to our waiting list, but your assessment may be delayed beyond our advertised wait times if the ICB’s funding limit has been reached.
Your place on the waitlist will be confirmed once the relevant pre-assessment forms have been completed, and an appointment will be offered once additional funding is made available. We are unable to confirm when this will be.
We understand that waiting for an assessment can be difficult and may cause uncertainty. Please be assured that we will share updates as soon as we receive further information from your local ICB.
NHS Greater Manchester ICB
We can currently accept new NHS referrals from patients registered with NHS Greater Manchester ICB.
The ICB has asked us to deliver services within an agreed funding limit across 2025 and into 2026. This means you can be referred to our service and added to our waiting list, but your assessment may be delayed beyond our advertised wait times if the ICB’s funding limit has been reached.
Your place on the waitlist will be confirmed once the relevant pre-assessment forms have been completed, and an appointment will be offered once additional funding is made available. We are unable to confirm when this will be.
We understand that waiting for an assessment can be difficult and may cause uncertainty. Please be assured that we will share updates as soon as we receive further information from your local ICB.
NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB
We can currently accept new NHS referrals from patients registered with NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB.
The ICB has asked us to deliver services within an agreed funding limit across 2025 and into 2026. This means you can be referred to our service and added to our waiting list, but your assessment may be delayed beyond our advertised wait times if the ICB’s funding limit has been reached.
Your place on the waitlist will be confirmed once the relevant pre-assessment forms have been completed, and an appointment will be offered once additional funding is made available. We are unable to confirm when this will be.
We understand that waiting for an assessment can be difficult and may cause uncertainty. Please be assured that we will share updates as soon as we receive further information from your local ICB.
NHS Kent and Medway ICB
We can currently accept new NHS referrals from patients registered with NHS Kent and Medway.
The ICB has asked us to deliver services within an agreed funding limit across 2025 and into 2026. This means you can be referred to our service and added to our waiting list, but your assessment may be delayed beyond our advertised wait times if the ICB’s funding limit has been reached.
Your place on the waitlist will be confirmed once the relevant pre-assessment forms have been completed, and an appointment will be offered once additional funding is made available. We are unable to confirm when this will be.
We understand that waiting for an assessment can be difficult and may cause uncertainty. Please be assured that we will share updates as soon as we receive further information from your local ICB.
NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB
Please note: The following updatesonly apply to patients seeking an ADHD assessment. Autism assessments are not affected by the following changes.
We can currently accept new NHS ADHD referrals from patients registered with NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB.
The ICB has asked us to deliver services within an agreed funding limit across 2025 and into 2026. This means you can be referred to our service and added to our waiting list, but your assessment may be delayed beyond our advertised wait times if the ICB’s funding limit has been reached.
Your place on the waitlist will be confirmed once the relevant pre-assessment forms have been completed, and an appointment will be offered once additional funding is made available. We are unable to confirm when this will be.
We understand that waiting for an assessment can be difficult and may cause uncertainty. Please be assured that we will share updates as soon as we receive further information from your local ICB.
NHS North Central London ICB
We can currently accept new NHS referrals from patients registered with NHS North Central London ICB.
The ICB has asked us to deliver services within an agreed funding limit across 2025 and into 2026. This means you can be referred to our service and added to our waiting list, but your assessment may be delayed beyond our advertised wait times if the ICB’s funding limit has been reached.
Your place on the waitlist will be confirmed once the relevant pre-assessment forms have been completed, and an appointment will be offered once additional funding is made available. We are unable to confirm when this will be.
We understand that waiting for an assessment can be difficult and may cause uncertainty. Please be assured that we will share updates as soon as we receive further information from your local ICB.
NHS North East and North Cumbria ICB
We can currently accept new NHS referrals from patients registered with NHSNorth Eastand North Cumbria ICB.
The ICB has asked us to deliver services within an agreed funding limit across 2025 and into 2026. This means you can be referred to our service and added to our waiting list, but your assessment may be delayed beyond our advertised wait times if the ICB’s funding limit has been reached.
Your place on the waitlist will be confirmed once the relevant pre-assessment forms have been completed, and an appointment will be offered once additional funding is made available. We are unable to confirm when this will be.
We understand that waiting for an assessment can be difficult and may cause uncertainty. Please be assured that we will share updates as soon as we receive further information from your local ICB.
NHS North East London ICB
We can currently accept new NHS referrals from patients registered with NHS North East London ICB.
The ICB has asked us to deliver services within an agreed funding limit across 2025 and into 2026. This means you can be referred to our service and added to our waiting list, but your assessment may be delayed beyond our advertised wait times if the ICB’s funding limit has been reached.
Your place on the waitlist will be confirmed once the relevant pre-assessment forms have been completed, and an appointment will be offered once additional funding is made available. We are unable to confirm when this will be.
We understand that waiting for an assessment can be difficult and may cause uncertainty. Please be assured that we will share updates as soon as we receive further information from your local ICB.
NHS Somerset ICB
We can currently accept new NHS referrals from patients registered with NHS Somerset ICB.
The ICB has asked us t deliver services within an agreed funding limit across 2025 and into 2026. This means you can be referred to our service and added to our waiting list, but your assessment may be delayed beyond our advertised wait times if the ICB’s funding limit has been reached.
Your place on the waitlist will be confirmed once the relevant pre-assessment forms have been completed, and an appointment will be offered once additional funding is made available. We are unable to confirm when this will be.
We understand that waiting for an assessment can be difficult and may cause uncertainty. Please be assured that we will share updates as soon as we receive further information from your local ICB.Please visit the Somerset Open Mental Health website for more information on the local mental health support available in your area.
NHS South East London
As of 3 November 2025, South EastLondon ICB has introduced a new Adult ADHD Referrals Triage Service, which differs from the standard Right to Choose referral system.
This new Triage Service applies to all adults over the age of 18 who are registered with a GP in Bromley, Bexley, Greenwich, Lewisham, Lambeth, or Southwark.
The steps are as follows:
1. Complete your Self Report Form before booking an appointment with your GP.
2. Bring your completed Self Report Form to your GP appointment. They will discuss your experiences and determine whether an ADHD assessment would be appropriate.
3. Your GP will submit a referral to the SEL Adult ADHD Referrals Triage Service using the NHS Electronic Referral System (e-RS).
4. The Triage team will review your referral and contact you to arrange a short meeting with you. During this meeting, they will explain your assessment options, including the NHS or Right to Choose providers, such as ProblemShared.
5. If you decide to pursue an ADHD assessment with ProblemShared, the Triage team will forward your referral to us so that you can join our wait list.
Please note that ProblemShared are unable to accept referrals from GPs in the South East London ICB area unless they follow this new system.
If referrals are received outside of this process, they will need to be returned to your GP so that it can be re-submitted using the new Referrals Triage Service, which may delay your referral and your assessment.
NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB
We can currently accept new NHS referrals from patients registered with NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB.
The ICB has asked us to deliver services within an agreed funding limit across 2025 and into 2026. This means you can be referred to our service and added to our waiting list, but your assessment may be delayed beyond our advertised wait times if the ICB’s funding limit has been reached.
Your place on the waitlist will be confirmed once the relevant pre-assessment forms have been completed, and an appointment will be offered once additional funding is made available. We are unable to confirm when this will be.
We understand that waiting for an assessment can be difficult and may cause uncertainty. Please be assured that we will share updates as soon as we receive further information from your local ICB.
NHS West Yorkshire ICB
We can currently accept new NHS referrals from patients registered with NHS West Yorkshire ICB.
The ICB has asked us to deliver services within an agreed funding limit across 2025 and into 2026. This means you can be referred to our service and added to our waiting list, but your assessment may be delayed beyond our advertised wait times if the ICB’s funding limit has been reached.
Your place on the waitlist will be confirmed once the relevant pre-assessment forms have been completed, and an appointment will be offered once additional funding is made available. We are unable to confirm when this will be.
We understand that waiting for an assessment can be difficult and may cause uncertainty. Please be assured that we will share updates as soon as we receive further information from your local ICB.
About our service
What is Right to Choose?
If you/your child are a registered NHS patient in England and are referred by your GP for specialist treatment, such as a neurodevelopmental assessment, you/your child have the legal right to choose an appropriate healthcare provider. This is known as your Right to Choose.
We've created a short video to explain what you can expect from our Right to Choose service, guiding you through your journey from referral to assessment.
Get started with Right to Choose
Starting your journey with us
If you/your child are seeking an autism or ADHD assessment with us through Right to Choose, follow these steps:
Complete self-report form(s)
Complete the self-report form(s) for your/your child’s suspected condition.
Send the self-report form(s) to your GP
Email your/your child’s completed self-report form(s) to your GP.
In the email, ask your GP to refer you/your child to ProblemShared. You can attach our pre-written GP letter to the email if you prefer.
Wait for your GP to make the referral
Your GP will refer you/your child to our service through our digital process.
You’ll get an email to notify you once the referral has been made.
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Provide your/your child’s enrolment information
We'll ask you for some important enrolment information.
Your/your child's referral will be reviewed by our clinical team.
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Look out for a confirmation email
If your online service is suitable for your situation, your/your child's referral will be approved.
You will receive an email informing you of next steps, and asking that you complete some pre-assessment forms.
You are deemed “assessment ready” and added to our waitlist
Only after completing each of these steps will you/your child be added to our waitlist for an assessment.
This ensures that, by the time you join the waitlist, we have all the necessary information to proceed with a thorough and effective assessment.
Who are ProblemShared?
Mind health support you can trust
ProblemShared was founded to provide better access to mind health services over a convenient and secure online platform. We offer a completely digital service that allows anyone in the UK with an internet connection to access exceptional mind health support.
Leading the way in mind health
Our assessments are strength-based and person-centred.
We’re the only provider to offer a neurodevelopmental service that includes tailored post-diagnostic care.
Our unique psychoeducation sessions are a space for you and your family to better understand your diagnosis and receive ongoing support.
Our highly trained, accredited clinicians can prescribe medication where appropriate.
We’re fully online, meaning you can access our service from the comfort of your home.
Trusted partners
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We’re regulated
ProblemShared is registered with the
Care Quality Commission (CQC), which means our neurodevelopmental service is regularly monitored, inspected, and held to high standards.
The CQC ensures that healthcare providers like us are delivering safe, effective services, so you can feel confident you're in good hands.
Certified practitioners
Our clinical teams are experienced, registered professionals who belong to professional regulatory bodies. They follow best practice guidelines and a strict code of conduct to ensure you receive high quality support.
Who are ProblemShared?
What our clients say
We are proud to have supported thousands of people on their mind health journey.
Frequently asked questions
Have a question?
You can find answers below to the things we get asked the most.
If you don’t see what you’re looking for, you can find more in our FAQ section.
How can I/my child be referred under Right to Choose?
If your GP agrees that you or your child would benefit from a neurodevelopmental assessment, you have the legal right to request a referral to the provider of your choice. Currently, adults can be referred to ProblemShared for both ADHD and autism assessments. If you would like an Autism referral for your child, please contact your GP and they will be able to refer you to ProblemShared.
Who is eligible under Right to Choose?
Adults aged 18 and over. Children and young people aged 7 and over. Please note that some patients are not suitable for online assessments (see eligibility criteria).
What should I do if my GP will not refer me/my child under Right to Choose?
If your GP is refusing to make a referral for a non-clinical reason (for example, due to funding concerns), you can ask them to read the NHS information governing patient choice.
Currently, Right to Choose only covers England.
Does Right to Choose cover Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
Unfortunately not. Currently, Right to Choose only covers England, and you need to be registered with a GP in England to be eligible.
Following a diagnosis of ADHD, are you able to prescribe medication through Right to Choose?
Patients diagnosed with ADHD by ProblemShared will be able to access the ProblemShared medication service where appropriate. This service is run by a team of highly qualified clinicians who will look after your individual prescribing needs.
Can I self-refer under Right to Choose?
No. All referrals must come directly from your GP.
If I/my child are already on a waitlist for an NHS assessment, can I/my child request a Right to Choose referral and be seen sooner?
Yes, so long as your GP agrees to make the referral through Right to Choose. Please note that we currently only offer adult ADHD and autism assessments, and autism assessments for children aged 7 and over.
Can I/my child access an assessment through Right to Choose if I/my child have already been assessed for the same neurodevelopmental condition? (For example, if I/my child want a second opinion?)
If you/your child have been assessed by a private service for a neurodevelopmental condition, you/your child can be referred to ProblemShared under Right to Choose for the same neurodevelopmental condition. If you/your child have already been assessed by an NHS service for a neurodevelopmental condition, you/your child cannot be referred to ProblemShared under Right to Choose for assessment of that same condition.
I/my child have an existing neurodevelopmental diagnosis. Can I/my child access an assessment through Right to Choose for a different neurodevelopmental condition?
Yes. Neurodevelopmental conditions are frequently co-occurring.
Will Right to Choose cover the cost of the medication?
Yes. If you have been diagnosed with ADHD by ProblemShared through Right to Choose and decide to enter our medication pathway, the cost of the medication will be met by the NHS. You may still need to pay the standard NHS prescription charge of £9.65 unless you are exempt.
I have another question about Right to Choose. How can I speak to someone?
Please contact help@problemshared.net
How can my/my child's GP be assured that your Right to Choose digital referral process is safe and secure to use?
We provide a gold-standard digital platform, are fully GDPR-compliant, committed to data protection, and our IT systems are fully Cyber Essentials accredited (cert. c8c44ea1-273c-48e8-8906-13e3a63fde84). ProblemShared is also registered with the ICO, number: ZB567803.
ProblemShared meets the standards of the NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit (“DSPT”) at: https://www.dsptoolkit.nhs.uk/OrganisationSearch/P6O4T.
Data is uploaded to our online Right to Choose referral portal using an encrypted connection from your computer to our servers, ensuring that your information is securely transmitted. Once received, your data is securely stored using advanced security measures and industry best practices. In addition to adhering to industry best practices in all our development processes, we conduct thorough security tests twice a year. These tests are complemented by automatic daily testing to identify and mitigate any potential vulnerabilities promptly.
I am a GP. Can I refer my patient for an assessment through Right to Choose if they have an existing NHS diagnosis for the same neurodevelopmental condition?
No. As a responsible healthcare provider, ProblemShared has a duty to protect NHS money and therefore we cannot assess individuals under Right to Choose for a condition for which they have an existing NHS diagnosis.
However, ProblemShared can assess individuals under Right to Choose who have an existing private diagnosis.
Further reading
Right to Choose resources
Explore a range of supportive resources and guides to help you on your mind health journey.
