NHS Right to Choose assessments with Clinical Partners

We’ve experienced a substantial and sustained increase in referrals since January 2025, well above anticipated volumes. As a result, wait times for new referrals have increased.

We continue to see patients in referral order, grouped by condition and age. Our wait time estimates are based on current capacity under the NHS Right to Choose framework, but future NHS funding decisions may affect this.

We’ve created a clear explanation of how our wait times are structured and what impacts them.

Yes, you can still continue to refer patients through Right to Choose. We are still accepting Right to Choose referrals, and patients can continue to access autism and ADHD assessments.

We are working closely with ICBs, NHS policymakers, and healthcare partners to ensure that patient care remains central to any future decisions. If anything changes, we will communicate clear guidance to GPs on this page, ensuring you have the latest information to support your patients.

Yes. However, we encourage everyone to use our online form to submit referrals. The form is secure and has been carefully designed to ensure your referral information is recorded accurately and can be processed efficiently.

While we can accept referrals by email, using our online system will help ensure your patient's referral is processed accurately and efficiently, which could help reduce their assessment waiting time.

When you submit a referral online using our referral form, you’ll receive a referral form number (RF number) once the form is complete.

This number is unique to the patient’s referral and helps us locate their details quickly if you or the patient get in touch with us.

Please share the RF number with the patient after submitting the online referral. They may need it if they contact us with any questions.

When you submit your patient's Right to Choose referral, we’ll send an email to confirm.

If you haven't received the email, please check for an email from Clinical Partners in your junk folder.

We will reach out to you if the patient's correct email address wasn't provided.

Your patient will have a feedback appointment where their clinician will discuss the assessment outcome and the clinical decisions. With your patient's consent, you will also receive a copy of the clinical report.

Yes, in line with NICE guidelines on ADHD diagnosis and management, patients receiving ADHD medication require ongoing specialist oversight even when shared care is in place.

Adults will continue to have an annual specialist review to monitor treatment effectiveness, tolerability, and any necessary adjustments.

Children and young people will have bi-annual specialist reviews, in line with best practice guidance, to ensure treatment remains appropriate as they develop.

Any changes to medication, including dose titration or treatment discontinuation, will be managed by a Clinical Partners specialist and clearly communicated to you as the primary prescriber.

If you are unable or do not wish to enter a shared care agreement, Clinical Partners will continue to oversee your patient’s ADHD medication and provide ongoing prescribing under specialist care.

• Ongoing specialist oversight: Your patient will remain under the care of a Clinical Partners specialist clinician, who will conduct regular medication reviews—annually for adults and bi-annually for children—in line with NICE guidelines.

• Monthly prescribing and monitoring: A Clinical Partners clinician will undertake the patient’s ongoing medication prescribing and monitoring. However, before each monthly prescription renewal, the patient will need to submit their height, weight, pulse, and blood pressure to ensure safe medication management.

• Alternative options: If shared care is not feasible, you may wish to discuss alternative arrangements with your patient. This could include referring them to local NHS ADHD services (where available) or advising them on seeking a GP who may be able to accept shared care.

If you have any concerns or would like further guidance on shared care arrangements, please don’t hesitate to contact us.