Right to Choose referrals for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)

This information seeks to support the patient in exercising their legal right to choose the provider they would like to receive an assessment and care from in accordance with the national patient choice framework.

Key information a patient should know before the decision to refer is made

When as a patient you approach your GP to request a referral to a provider for an ADHD or ASC assessment under 'Right to Choose' the following information should be considered as part of the GP clinical discussion and decision making.

• The clinical judgement and clinical rationale behind the decision to refer ultimately sits with the GP as the referrer.
• The Right To Choose provider may only offer an assessment and diagnosis service. Where there is a confirmed diagnosis with a recommendation to treat with medication, the provider may not provide you with prescriptions to start specialist medication and may request your GP to prescribe, which they may not be willing to do so.
• The Right To Choose provider may offer assessment, diagnosis and initiation of medication and when the correct dose of medication achieved, the provider may request your GP enters a shared care agreement to continue the ongoing prescribing and management. This is at the discretion of your GP. Guidance issued by the General Medical Council states the GP is not obliged to enter into a shared care arrangement with any provider, and GP practices can decline shared care requests on clinical and capacity grounds.
• The Right To Choose provider may not be integrated with other local Black Country health services and this could affect your access to other local services relevant to your care and support.
• It is advised that you discuss with your GP any post diagnostic support that may be required. Please check with your chosen provider what is included in the treatment and whether this is clinically appropriate to meet your needs.

Your GP can refer direct to the provider chosen by you and does not need to seek funding approval from the ICB, or submit an individual funding request to the ICB.

Patients cannot self-refer to a provider under Right To Choose. For the legal right to choose to apply, the patient needs a referral from their GP to a provider who holds an NHS contract.

What happens if a patient chooses to self-refer?

If a patient chooses to self-refer to a provider and therefore Right To Choose does not apply, in these cases, the patient may not have the support and advice of their GP.

Where the legal Right To Choose does not apply, or the provider does not hold an NHS contract the ICB will not fund assessment or any recommended treatment that has been received through a self-referral.  

Verified Right to Choose providers

The table lists the details of the Right to Choose providers that the Black Country Integrated Care Board has been able to verify hold a qualifying NHS contract to deliver Right To Choose services and some details of the service provision. This list is not exhaustive and will be updated with new providers as and when the ICB becomes aware of providers and have verified they hold the appropriate NHS contract.