Update for GPs in Coventry and Warwickshire regarding adult ADHD referrals: Learn more

Right to Choose patient referrals for GPs and referrers

As a GP or a locally agreed interface referrer in England, you can refer your patients to us for specialist treatment such as an autism or ADHD assessment, or ADHD medication under the NHS Choice framework.

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Information for patients

This information is for GPs and referrers who are referring their patients to us for an assessment. If you're a patient seeking an assessment through Right to Choose, you'll first need to speak to your GP and discuss your options.

View Right to Choose information for patients

Our Right to Choose services

Your NHS patients, aged five and above, in England can be referred to our service for:

  • Adult autism assessments
  • Adult ADHD assessments
  • Child and young people autism assessments
  • Child and young people ADHD assessments
  • ADHD medication

Under NHS Right to Choose Legislation, the referral form must be completed by an NHS registered GP or a locally agreed interface referrer. 

Our Right to Choose assessments are conducted via secure video calls, combining accessibility and high clinical standards while allowing patients to remain in their familiar home environment.

Make a Right to Choose referral

nhs right to choose

Coventry and Warwickshire ICB referral policy update

From 1 June 2025, we are not able to accept new adult ADHD referrals through Right to Choose for patients aged 25 and over who are registered with a GP in Coventry or Warwickshire ICB area.

This is due to a temporary commissioning policy introduced by Coventry and Warwickshire ICB, which limits ADHD referrals to those under the age of 25 at the time of referral.

Referrals for autism assessments and any ADHD referrals received before 1 June are not affected.

View patient update for more information

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Why choose Clinical Partners?

As a leading provider of ADHD and autism assessments, choosing to seek support with us means:

What information is needed for the referral?

To complete the form, please have the following ready:

  • Your details, including a surgery email (ending in @nhs.net, @nhs.uk, or @staff.nhs.uk) to receive referral confirmation and for sharing your patient's clinical report
  • GP Practice Code, and ICB details
  • The patient's details, including their NHS number, and their contact details
  • The parent's contact details, if the patient is a child
  • The patient's completed self-report questionnaire

Find out about referring for medication only.

Make a Right to Choose referral

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Our Right to Choose process for assessments

1.

Patients complete the most relevant self-report questionnaire.

2.

If your patient requires an assessment or medication, you can submit the referral using our online referral form.


Once completed, you’ll receive a referral form number (RF number). Please share this number with the patient, as it can be used by either of you when contacting us about the referral.

3.

After you have submitted your patient's referral, you will receive an email with a link to confirm that the details are correct.

4.

We will contact the patient to arrange an appointment if their referral is accepted or will notify you if further information is required.

5.

Your patient will undergo the relevant NICE compliant assessment with an experienced and qualified clinician.

6.

Your patient will receive personalised recommendations in a feedback session. These will be documented in a detailed report, which can be shared with the patient's GP if they consents, ensuring seamless ongoing care.

7.

If ADHD medication is clinically recommended after an assessment, we can offer a medication service.

How our online assessments work

Our Right to Choose assessments are conducted online via secure video call, ensuring accessibility, comfort, and high clinical standards for patients across England.

  • Remote assessments eliminate the need for travel, allowing patients to complete them from home.
  • Observing the patient's home environment provides valuable insights into their or their child's preferences, challenges, and family interactions.
  • Remote assessments are as robust as face-to-face, and are conducted by trained clinicians using evidence-based tools.
  • Assessments must be conducted on a computer, not a mobile phone, to ensure clear visuals and sound quality which are essential for a thorough assessment.
  • If a remote assessment presents challenges for the patient due to specific access needs, we will work with them to explore possible adjustments.

ADHD medication with Clinical Partners

We support GPs by providing clear, detailed information for managing patients, whether a shared care agreement is accepted or not.

Our specialist clinicians are responsible for initiating and stabilising medication, conducting baseline investigations, and providing counselling on medication use. Shared care agreements remain voluntary, with GPs supported at every stage.

Read more about our medication service for patients

Our medication process

  • If your patient’s ADHD assessment was completed by Clinical Partners and medication was clinically recommended, they will be automatically invited to join our medication waitlist should they wish to proceed.
  • For patients assessed by another provider, please confirm that their diagnostic report meets NHS standards using the guidance here. Once verified, please complete the referral form for your patient to be added to our medication waitlist.

How we support GPs

  • Detailed medication reports covering dosage, administration, and any specific recommendations.
  • Clear guidance for reviews and necessary tests, such as blood work, to ensure safe and effective treatment.
  • Collaborative approach with structured protocols to support ongoing management and address any challenges.
  • Access to our specialist medication team for support, ensuring seamless patient care.

Assessment wait times

Understanding wait times for referrals

We’re committed to delivering efficient, effective, and person-centred care, and currently have capacity for over 2,000 ADHD and autism assessments each month.

Since January 2025, we’ve seen a sustained and significant increase in referral volumes, well beyond forecasted levels. As a result, wait times for new referrals have risen accordingly.

Wait times are calculated in line with the current NHS Right to Choose framework, but may change if NHS commissioning arrangements are revised. We will communicate any updates as they arise.

For a more detailed explanation of how our wait times are structured and why they may vary, please visit:

Understanding Right to Choose wait times

These wait times apply to referrals received after 6 June 2025.

Children and young people

  • Autism assessments: approximately 8 to 10 months
  • ADHD assessments: approximately 6 to 8 months
  • ADHD medication services: approximately 12 to 18 months

Adults

  • Autism assessments: approximately 6 to 8 months
  • ADHD assessments: approximately 5 to 7 months
  • ADHD medication services: approximately 12 to 18 months

Last updated: 6 June 2025

Update on NHS funding and Right to Choose

There has been national discussion about how Right to Choose services are funded. Right to Choose remains in place, and we are continuing to deliver autism and ADHD assessments and support as usual.

The NHS has now completed two consultations. Earlier proposals to introduce funding caps have been withdrawn, and further detail has been provided on how services will be managed in future.

We are working closely with all 42 Integrated Care Boards to support sustainable planning and the responsible use of NHS resources. Ensuring patients continue to access high-quality care remains our priority, and we will provide further updates on our website as new information becomes available. Thank you for your continued support.

How we manage patient data

To protect patient data, we recommend submitting referrals via our secure online form. This method ensures your patient's information is transmitted safely and integrated directly into our systems without delay.

Patient data is used exclusively for clinical purposes, accessed only by authorised professionals, and managed in full compliance with NHS security and data protection standards.

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FAQs

Our process

You can find details of our wait times here.

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:

Read more

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 recieved 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 recieve a copy of the clinical report.

Yes. If your patient receives an ADHD diagnosis and medication is clinically recommended for them, we do offer medication services.

Medication services for adults

Medication services for children and young people

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.

As detailed in and derived from the documentation referenced under section 1 Aims and objectives, the locally agreed assessment standards are referenced on REMEDY and the Provider will comply as follows:

  • A comprehensive clinical and psychiatric history, to include mental state and risk assessment.
  • A detailed developmental history.
  • An up-to-date physical health history (primary care summary can be informative).
  • Verbal and/or written collateral history, including school/educational reports, references etc.
  • A diagnostic framework (currently ICD-11, DSM-5) should be referred to.
  • Evidence of a diagnostic interview, either by using an established diagnostic instrument such as the DIVA, ACE + etc. or detailing systematic exploration of current and childhood symptoms.
  • Reference to pervasiveness of symptoms across at least two important settings.
  • Impact of ADHD symptoms on psychological, social, educational/occupational aspects of the person’s life (The use of a questionnaire such as the WEISS functional impairment scale can be useful).
  • Consideration of co-morbidities and their impact on ADHD symptomatology and overall impairment.
  • Reference to limitations with the assessment due to inaccessible information, restrictive environments etc.

The assessment must be written into a comprehensive report and in addition to the above, should include:

  • Information about the professional(s) who undertook the assessment, their role title, professional registration, and that the person/people undertaking the assessment are consistent with adopting NICE guidance on the composition of assessment teams. A diagnosis of ADHD can be made by a single clinician with appropriate training and experience in ADHD assessment (e.g., Psychiatrist, Psychologist or another appropriate qualified professional).
  • In those circumstances where (ADHD) medication has been initiated following an assessment, it is important that the rationale for the treatment be stated by the professional who initiated the treatment. Reference to the guidelines and clinical practice to be included.

With the above standards in place, assessments can be accepted at face value between ADHD services, including from the independent sector.

The assessment may be conducted over a number of appointments, tailored to the need of the service user. In accordance with NICE guidance, a diagnosis of ADHD should only be made by a specialist psychiatrist, paediatrician or other appropriately qualified healthcare professional with training and expertise in the diagnosis of ADHD, on the basis of:

  • A full clinical and psychosocial assessment of the person; this should include discussion about behaviour and symptoms in the different domains and settings of the person’s everyday life and
  • A full developmental psychiatric history and observer reports and assessment of the person’s mental state.

About Right to Choose

Yes, we hold NHS standard contracts across England to provide NHS Right to Choose autism and ADHD assessments for adults, children (aged five and above), and young people.

Yes, if your patient is considering an NHS Right to Choose referral, you can discuss this with them to explore whether it is appropriate for their needs.

If they decide to proceed, or if they want to change between Right to Choose providers, you can refer them directly to their chosen provider.

For both cases you will need to submit the referral to the new provider and ensure the previous provider is informed so they can be removed from their waiting list.

As a GP in England, you can refer your patients to us for specialist treatment such as an autism or ADHD assessment, or ADHD medication under the NHS Choice framework.

Some patients may not be eligible to choose their provider. The NHS has guidance on who this applies to.

Clinical Partners provides specialist autism and ADHD assessments as well as ADHD medication services for patients aged five and above.

  • Children and young people (ages 5 to 17) – We offer comprehensive autism and ADHD assessments, as well as ADHD medication titration and ongoing management.
  • Adults (18 and over) – We provide autism and ADHD assessments, along with ADHD medication services, including titration, shared care arrangements, and ongoing specialist reviews.

If you are considering a referral, please ensure your patient meets the minimum age requirement of five years old at the time of assessment.

Right to Choose referrals should be made by the patient’s GP or by a locally agreed interface referrer (for example, an NHS referral hub or triage service if used in your area).

This ensures the referral meets NHS England’s Right to Choose requirements and that the patient’s care is coordinated safely.

If you’re unsure whether you're an approved interface referrer in your area, please check with your local ICB or NHS referral team.

For more detailed information about your patient's rights and choices within the NHS, please visit the NHS website: Your Choices in the NHS.

If you have further questions or need additional information about your patient's Right to Choose, you can email the Your Choice Team at [email protected].

Your local ICB can also provide further information and assistance.

From 1 June 2025, Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) introduced a temporary commissioning policy which limits NHS ADHD referrals to patients under the age of 25 at the time of referral.

In line with this policy, Clinical Partners has temporarily paused adult ADHD Right to Choose referrals for patients registered with GP practices in Coventry or Warwickshire.

This pause:

  • Does not affect autism referrals
  • Does not affect referrals received before 1 June
  • Does not affect patients already in assessment or titration
  • Does not currently affect patients under the age of 25

You can find a full update and a version of this information for patients here: Read our service update