NHS Right to Choose wait times and updates

NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board has asked Clinical Partners to temporarily pause new Right to Choose autism and ADHD assessment bookings. This means Clinical Partners is not currently able to offer new booking dates for NHS Right to Choose autism or ADHD assessments funded by NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB.

Referrals are still open. Clinical Partners can continue to accept new Right to Choose referrals funded by NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB and add them securely to our waiting list. Your referral will be held safely while we await further instruction from the ICB to restart booking.

For details of local support available while you wait, please visit:

• Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust website

• Support while waiting (Birmingham) – for children and young people in Birmingham

• Support while waiting (Solihull) – for children and young people in Solihull

• The Waiting Room also provides information about available support for people of all ages.

Before we can accept a Right to Choose referral funded by NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, it must go through an additional review required by the ICB.

This review checks that the referral meets the ICB’s local requirements. This usually involves needing to gather further information from your GP, which will make the referral process take a little longer.

We will progress your referral as quickly as possible once the review is complete.

Last updated: 23 September 2026

Before we can accept a Right to Choose referral funded by NHS Black Country ICB, it must go through an additional review required by the ICB.

This review checks that the referral meets the ICB’s local requirements. This usually involves needing to gather further information from your GP, which will make the referral process take a little longer.

We will progress your referral as quickly as possible once the review is complete.

Last updated 23 September 2026

NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB requires patients to wait at least 14 weeks before an assessment can take place.

This means that even if our usual estimated wait time is shorter, we will not be able to offer you an assessment until at least 14 weeks after we receive your referral. You do not need to contact us or take any further action.

We will progress your referral and contact you as soon as we are able to offer an appointment.

Last updated 23 September 2026

Across England, more people are being referred for autism and ADHD assessments than the NHS currently has funding to provide. Because of this, NHS Central East Integrated Care Board (ICB), which plans and funds local NHS services, has limited the number of assessments that Right to Choose providers can carry out during 2026/27. This means some patients waiting for a new autism or ADHD assessment will wait longer.

Right to Choose referrals remain open. We can continue to accept new referrals for patients in NHS Central East ICB and add them to our waiting list. If you are already on our waiting list, your referral remains in place unless you ask us to remove it.

We are currently unable to provide a specific timeframe for when an assessment appointment will be available. We will contact you when we are able to offer next steps and will offer appointments in the order referrals were received.

For more information about NHS Central East ICB’s approach, waiting lists and support available while you wait, visit the Central East ICB neurodevelopmental condition support and assessments page.

Last updated: 14 October 2026

We are able to accept new NHS Right to Choose referrals for autism and ADHD assessments in Coventry and Warwickshire, including ADHD referrals for patients aged over 25.

You can read more about the ICB’s local information and support.

Last updated: 14 May 2026

Demand for ADHD assessments has increased significantly. We are working with NHS Essex to manage referrals safely and fairly.

Clinical Partners has now reached the planned level of adult ADHD assessment appointments for patients in your area during this financial year. As a result, we are currently unable to offer new NHS Right to Choose ADHD assessment appointments for adult patients.

Referrals remain open. We can continue to accept eligible NHS Right to Choose referrals from adult and children and young people in the NHS Essex area and add them to our waiting list. If you are already waiting with us, your referral remains active and you do not need to take any action. We will contact you when we are able to offer you an appointment.

For information about support available while you wait, and answers to common questions about ADHD assessments, waiting times and Right to Choose, please visit the NHS Essex ADHD and autism assessments webpage.

Last updated: 5 November 2026

We have now reached the end of the appointments agreed and funded by Greater Manchester ICB for this financial year. This means we are not able to offer new booking dates for NHS Right to Choose autism or ADHD assessments or schedule any new ADHD medication titration appointments until additional funding is available.

Referrals are still open. We can accept new Right to Choose referrals for Greater Manchester ICB and add them securely to our waiting list. Your referral will be held safely while we await further instruction from the ICB to restart booking.

For the ICB’s explanation of this decision, and details of local support available while you wait, please visit Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership's website.

Last updated: 13 May 2026

We have now reached the end of the appointments agreed and funded by Hampshire and Isle of Wight for this financial year. This means we are not able to offer new booking dates for NHS Right to Choose autism or ADHD assessments until additional funded activity is confirmed.

Referrals are still open. We can accept new Right to Choose referrals for Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB and add them securely to our waiting list. Your referral will be held safely while we await further instruction from the ICB to restart booking.

For the ICB’s explanation of this decision and approach, and details of local support available while you wait, please visit: Key updates: Autism and ADHD Assessment Services :: NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight

Last updated: 3 June 2026

Demand for autism and ADHD assessments has increased significantly across England. NHS England has asked all ICBs to work with assessment providers to manage the number of assessments being delivered. NHS Kent and Medway has introduced arrangements affecting which assessments can currently be booked during the 2026/27 financial year. This means we are not currently able to book new NHS Right to Choose autism or ADHD assessment appointments until additional funded activity is confirmed.

Referrals are still open. We can accept new Right to Choose referrals for patients in Kent and Medway and add them securely to our waiting list. Your referral will be held safely while we await further instruction from NHS Kent and Medway ICB to restart booking.

For information and links to local and national support available while you wait, including support available without a formal diagnosis, please visit the Kent and Medway neurodevelopmental support hub.

25 August 2026

NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB has asked providers of ADHD and autism services to reduce the number of new assessments they offer from April onwards for patients who have waited less than 52 weeks. This is intended to prioritise care for people who have waited the longest.

This means that people who are waiting for an autism or ADHD assessment through Right to Choose will wait longer than originally expected.

Right to Choose referrals remain open. We can accept new Right to Choose referrals for NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB and add them securely to our waiting list. If you are already on our waiting list, your referral remains in place and we will contact you when we can offer next steps.

Find out more

For more information about the changes and NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB’s approach, visit the NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB Adult ADHD position statement.

Local support

• ADHD North West

• ADHD Lancashire

• ADHD peer support and education

• Mental health support

• NHS Talking Therapies

Last updated: 1 October 2026

We have now reached the end of the appointments agreed and funded by Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland ICB for this financial year. This means we are not able to offer new booking dates for NHS Right to Choose autism or ADHD assessments until additional funded activity is confirmed.

Referrals are still open. We can accept new Right to Choose referrals for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland ICB and add them securely to our waiting list. Your referral will be held safely while we await further instruction from the ICB to restart booking.

The LLR ICB website provides further information on Indicative Activity Plans: 

In addition the  ICB has provided links to local information on ADHD & ASD, including support for waiting well:

• ADHD resources

• Autism resources

Last updated: 27 July 2026

NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, also known as the ICB, has introduced new arrangements for autism and ADHD assessments. Under these arrangements, the current estimated waiting time is around 78 weeks, which is approximately 18 months, from the date of referral.

This is an estimated waiting time rather than a confirmed timeframe for your assessment. Your actual waiting time may change if the arrangements or available NHS capacity change.

Referrals are still open. We can accept new NHS Right to Choose referrals for patients in North East and North Cumbria and add them securely to our waiting list.

If you are already on our waiting list, your referral remains active and you do not need to contact us to keep your place. We will contact you when we can book your assessment.

For information about local support services, self-help resources and voluntary and community organisations, please visit the NHS North East and North Cumbria ADHD and autism support page.

Last updated: 20 August 2026

We have now reached the end of the appointments agreed and funded by Somerset ICB for this financial year. This means we are not able to offer new booking dates for NHS Right to Choose autism or ADHD assessments or schedule any new ADHD medication titration appointments until additional funding is available.

Referrals are still open. We can accept new Right to Choose referrals for Somerset ICB and add them securely to our waiting list. Your referral will be held safely while we await further instruction from the ICB to restart booking.

For details of local support available while you wait, please visit: Somerset Open Mental Health.

Last updated: 14 May 2026

Referral process for adult ADHD assessments

From 3 November 2025, South East London ICB has introduced a new Adult ADHD Referrals Triage Service. This applies to adults aged 18 and over who are registered with a GP in Bromley, Bexley, Greenwich, Lewisham, Lambeth or Southwark.

If you would like to use your Right to Choose for an ADHD assessment, please follow these steps:

1. Complete the self-report questionnaire

   Before seeing your GP, complete the ADHD self-report questionnaire for adults (PDF). This helps your GP understand your experiences and symptoms.

2. Book an appointment with your GP

   Bring your completed form to your GP appointment. Your GP will discuss your experiences and how they affect different areas of your life before making a referral.

3. Your GP will send your referral to the SEL Adult ADHD Referrals Triage Service

   All new referrals must now go through this service using the NHS Electronic Referral System (e-RS).

4. The triage team will contact you

   They will review your referral, arrange a short clinical discussion, and explain your NHS and Right to Choose options, including Clinical Partners.

5. If you choose Clinical Partners

   The triage team will forward your referral securely to us so that your assessment can be arranged.

Clinical Partners cannot accept referrals sent directly from GPs in the South East London ICB area. If a referral is sent outside this process, it will need to be returned to your GP so it can be re-submitted following the ICB triage process. If the ICB process is not followed, this may cause a delay.

Please note that because referrals must go through the Triage service before being sent to Clinical Partners, this can make the referral process take a little bit longer. You should expect it to take at least a few days from when you meet your GP before we receive your referral.

Last updated: 23 September 2026

As part of wider work to make the ADHD pathway more sustainable and improve support across assessment, post-diagnostic services and ongoing care, NHS South West London ICB has agreed a level of NHS-funded activity with each Right to Choose ADHD provider.

We have now reached the level of activity agreed and funded by NHS South West London ICB for this financial year. This means we are not able to offer new booking dates for NHS Right to Choose ADHD assessments or schedule any new ADHD medication titration appointments until further activity is agreed.

Referrals are still open. We can accept new Right to Choose referrals for NHS South West London ICB and add them securely to our waiting list. Your referral will be held safely while we await further instruction from the ICB to restart booking.

For more information about NHS South West London ICB’s wider ADHD programme, Right to Choose arrangements and support available in your area, please visit the NHS South West London ICB ADHD and Right to Choose information page.

Last updated: 30 September 2026

Rotherham GP-registered children and young people

In Rotherham, referrals for children and young people’s autism or ADHD assessments are made through the RDaSH CAMHS Neurodevelopmental Pathway.

Schools and parents complete both the parent/carer and school referral pack together before the referral can be accepted.

If you would like to use your Right to Choose for an autism or ADHD assessment with Clinical Partners, please follow these steps:

1. Work with your child’s school

   Parents and schools complete the referral together using the RDaSH parent/carer and school packs. This ensures the right information and support are in place before the referral is accepted.

2. Ask RDaSH to make the referral to Clinical Partners

   Once it has been agreed that a full neurodevelopmental assessment is needed, families can choose Clinical Partners under the NHS Right to Choose.

3. Clinical Partners cannot accept direct referrals

   We’re unable to accept referrals directly from parents or carers. All referrals must come directly from RDaSH so that they follow the correct NHS process.

Please note that because referrals must go through RDaSH before being sent to Clinical Partners, this can make the referral process take a little bit longer. You should expect it to take at least a few days from when you meet your GP before we receive your referral.

For more information about the local pathway, visit the RDaSH CAMHS Neurodevelopmental Pathway.

Last updated: 23 September 2026

Before we can accept an Adult ADHD Right to Choose referral funded by NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB, it must go through an additional review required by the ICB.

This review checks that the referral meets the ICB’s local requirements and must be completed before your GP can send your referral to Clinical Partners. This can occasionally make the referral process take a little longer. You should expect it to take at least a few days from when you meet your GP before we receive your referral.

We will progress your referral as quickly as possible once the review is complete.

Last updated 23 September 2026

NHS Surrey and Sussex ICB agrees planned activity levels with NHS providers to help manage services across the financial year. Clinical Partners has now reached the planned activity level for new autism and ADHD assessments and new ADHD medication titration appointments for patients in this area. This means we are currently unable to offer new assessment appointments or appointments to start ADHD medication.

Referrals remain open. We can continue to accept eligible NHS Right to Choose referrals and add them to our waiting list. If you are already waiting with us, your referral remains active and you do not need to take any action.

For details of local support available while you wait, please visit: Mental Health Support in Surrey and Sussex

Last updated: 3 November 2026

We have now reached the end of the appointments agreed and funded by NHS Thames Valley ICB for this financial year. This means we are not able to offer new booking dates for NHS Right to Choose autism or ADHD assessments until additional funded activity is confirmed.

Referrals are still open. We can accept new Right to Choose referrals for NHS Thames Valley ICB and add them securely to our waiting list. Your referral will be held safely while we await further instruction from the ICB to restart booking.

If you are already on our waiting list, your referral remains active and you do not need to contact us to keep your place. We will contact you when we can book your assessment.

Please visit NHS Thames Valley - ADHD, autism, learning disability and SEND for a dedicated webpage of useful resources.

Last updated: 4 September 2026

We have now reached the end of the appointments agreed and funded by NHS West and North London ICB for this financial year. This means we are not able to offer new booking dates for NHS Right to Choose autism or ADHD assessments, or schedule any new ADHD medication titration appointments until additional funded activity is confirmed.

Referrals are still open. We can accept new Right to Choose referrals for NHS West and North London ICB and add them securely to our waiting list. Your referral will be held safely while we await further instruction from the ICB to restart booking.

For details of local support available while you wait, please visit: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) :: West and North London ICB

Last updated: 15 September 2026

NHS West Yorkshire ICB has agreed a minimum waiting time for autism and ADHD assessments for patients under the care of independent providers. The minimum waiting time is currently two years from the date of referral.

This means patients choosing an independent provider will wait at least two years from their referral before having an assessment. For some patients, this may mean waiting longer than originally expected.

Right to Choose referrals remain open. We can continue to accept new Right to Choose referrals for patients in NHS West Yorkshire ICB and add them to our waiting list. Your referral will remain on our waiting list and your place is not affected. We will contact you as soon as we are able to offer next steps.

Find out more

For more information about NHS West Yorkshire ICB’s approach and what this means for patients, please visit their Frequently Asked Questions about the Activity Plan.

For local support while you wait, visit Neurodiversity and mental health - West Yorkshire Health & Care Partnership. The page includes West Yorkshire mental health and neurodiversity information and routes to further support.

Last updated: 13 October 2026

We can accept referrals from GPs in all areas, even if the ICB has set local instructions.

Your referral will be added to our waiting list, and appointments are offered in referral date order within the type of assessment needed.

We will contact you when we are able to book patients from your referral date.

Your referral will be added to our waiting list. Appointments are normally offered in referral-date order within the type of assessment you need, unless there are specific instructions or arrangements from your ICB that affect when appointments can be offered.

We will contact you when we are able to book patients from your referral date to ask you to complete your pre-assessment questionnaires and then to book your assessment.

You will remain securely on our waitlist until we’re able to book your assessment. We will keep you updated by email on any area instructions that may affect the time you’re waiting for an appointment.

Appointments are offered in referral date order within the type of assessment needed.

If you have already been waiting longer than the estimated wait time published on this page, we understand that seeing a shorter wait time may be confusing and frustrating. We recognise how difficult a long wait can be and want to explain why the current estimate may be different from your experience.

The wait times shown are estimates for new referrals received now. If we received your referral earlier, you may have already waited longer because fewer assessment appointments were available at that time. We have since increased the number of appointments we can offer, which has reduced the estimate for new referrals.

Your referral will continue to be progressed from the date we received it. Your individual wait may also be affected by:

• any instructions from your local NHS Integrated Care Board (who plan and fund care in your area)

• whether we have received all the questionnaires and information needed before assessment

• any individual or clinical requirements affecting your pathway

The estimate shown on this page does not guarantee an individual appointment date. We will contact you as soon as we are able to offer your next step.

If there is an update for your area, we will email to explain what the ICB instructions mean for you and your assessment. The instructions may affect when we can offer appointments, which can increase the time you will wait.

You will remain on our waiting list and your place is not affected, unless you ask to be removed. Your original referral date stays the same.

It is possible that someone from another ICB where activity is available could be booked before you, even if they joined the waiting list after you. As soon as we’re able to book for your ICB again, we will start contacting patients in referral date order.

If you have not received an email and your ICB is not listed, it usually means there are no specific instructions in place for your area at the moment.

We will contact you when we are able to book patients from your referral date.

Demand for autism and ADHD assessments is very high across England and NHS funding is limited. ICBs agree planned activity levels with NHS providers for each financial year. Where Clinical Partners has reached the planned activity level for a particular service and area, we may be unable to offer further appointments during that financial year. We will contact affected patients when appointments become available.

To check what applies to you

Use the drop down menu on this page and select your ICB. If your ICB is not listed, there is currently no specific update for your area and pathway.

No. Your referral remains on our waiting list and your place is not affected, unless you ask to be removed. Your original referral date stays the same.

To check what applies to you

Use the drop down menu on this page and select your ICB. If your ICB is not listed, there is currently no specific update for your area and pathway.

This can vary by ICB. Some ICBs may ask providers to continue certain parts of the pathway, for example appointments already booked or people part way through care.

To check what applies to you

Use the drop down menu on this page and select your ICB. If your ICB is not listed, there is currently no specific update for your area and pathway.

Right to Choose remains a legal right. We can accept new referrals and add them securely to our waiting list. However, we can only book new appointments when the ICB confirms additional activity.

To check what applies to you

Use the drop down menu on this page and select your ICB. If your ICB is not listed, there is currently no specific update for your area and pathway.

Bookings are normally made in referral date order. However, if your ICB has confirmed that no further activity can be booked for this period, we cannot book new appointments for patients from that ICB until additional activity is confirmed. During that time, we may continue booking patients from other ICBs where activity is available.

To check what applies to you

Use the drop down menu on this page and select your ICB. If your ICB is not listed, there is currently no specific update for your area and pathway.

Yes. You can ask your GP to refer you (or your child) to another NHS funded provider in England, as long as they offer the service you need. Waiting times and the number of appointments funded can vary between providers, so it is best to check directly with any provider you are considering.

If you decide to move your referral to another provider, you will need to:

• Ask your GP to make a new referral, and

• Tell us so we can remove you from our waiting list and avoid duplication.

Please note that if you later ask to re join our waiting list, your waiting time will start again from the date of the new referral.

To check what applies to you

Use the drop down menu on this page and select your ICB. If your ICB is not listed, there is currently no specific update for your area and pathway.

Please speak to your GP if you are concerned. Support and adjustments can often be put in place without a formal diagnosis, including support through schools, workplaces, and local services.

If anyone feels in crisis:

• Call 111 for urgent NHS advice

• Call 999 in an emergency

• Text SHOUT to 85258 for free, confidential support

• Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, available 24/7

To check what applies to you

Use the drop down menu on this page and select your ICB. If your ICB is not listed, there is currently no specific update for your area and pathway.

Support and adjustments can often be provided based on need, without a formal diagnosis. This may include school based support, workplace adjustments, and community support. Your GP can help you explore what is available locally.

To check what applies to you

Use the drop down menu on this page and select your ICB. If your ICB is not listed, there is currently no specific update for your area and pathway.

If your question is about an ICB decision, local activity, funding, or local support, your ICB is best placed to help. Please use the ICB contact details provided on their website.

If your question is about your Clinical Partners referral record, or if you decide to change provider, you can contact our team using the details in your email or letter.

To check what applies to you

Use the drop down menu on this page and select your ICB. If your ICB is not listed, there is currently no specific update for your area and pathway.

Once you have completed your pre-assessment questionnaires, we will contact you about booking.

Our calls may appear as withheld or private number. Please make sure your phone settings allow you to receive these calls.

If your contact details have changed, email rtc@clinical-partners.co.uk so we can update them.

Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) are NHS organisations that plan and fund healthcare services for people in their local area. They decide how NHS budgets are spent and are responsible for commissioning (purchasing) services such as autism and ADHD assessments.

Your NHS care is commissioned (planned and funded) by the Integrated Care Board (ICB) linked to your GP practice. This may not always match where you live.

You can check which ICB your GP practice is part of by:

• looking on your GP practice website, which usually lists ICB they belong to

• asking at your GP practice reception

• visiting the NHS England website for a full list of ICBs and the areas they cover