If you are looking for a right to choose ADHD assessment, understanding how the NHS referral process works can make the next steps easier. NHS Right to Choose allows eligible patients in England to ask their GP to refer them to an approved provider for an adult ADHD assessment.
A right to choose ADHD assessment can provide an alternative route for adults who are waiting for an assessment through their local NHS service. With a right to choose ADHD assessment, patients can request a referral to Harrow Health, an accredited provider of adult ADHD assessment and treatment under the NHS Right to Choose pathway.
What Is a Right to Choose ADHD Assessment?
NHS Right to Choose is a patient choice pathway available in England. It allows eligible patients to choose an organisation providing their first outpatient care when their GP makes an appropriate referral.
For adults experiencing symptoms associated with ADHD, this can provide access to an alternative assessment provider. Harrow Health offers adult ADHD assessment, diagnosis and treatment through this pathway, where clinically appropriate. The service is specifically for adults aged 18 and over.
Who Can Use the ADHD Right to Choose Pathway?
Eligibility depends on the NHS Right to Choose requirements and the individual’s circumstances. Generally, the pathway applies to eligible patients registered with a GP surgery in England who require a first outpatient assessment.
A GP must make the referral. Patients cannot directly refer themselves to Harrow Health. It is therefore important to discuss ADHD symptoms and concerns with your GP before requesting a referral through the Right to Choose pathway.
How Do You Request an ADHD Referral?
First, speak with your GP about your concerns and request an ADHD assessment. You can discuss your symptoms, their effect on everyday life and whether a specialist assessment may be appropriate.
Patients interested in Harrow Health can use the Right to Choose letter available on the service website and take it to their GP. If the referral is appropriate, the GP can refer the patient through the relevant NHS referral system.
What Happens After the GP Referral?
Once Harrow Health receives and accepts an NHS ADHD referral, It guides the patient through the next stages. This includes onboarding, assessment preparation, questionnaires and appointment arrangements.
The website states that patients should not contact the service directly before referral and that the service will make contact within eight weeks of receiving a referral. This helps create a structured process from GP referral through to assessment.
What Does an Adult ADHD Assessment Involve?
An adult ADHD assessment looks at symptoms and how they affect different areas of life. Information about attention, impulsivity, organisation, restlessness and other relevant behaviours may form part of the assessment process.
NICE guidance states that adults with suspected ADHD should be referred for specialist assessment when there is evidence of typical ADHD manifestations and associated impairment. A specialist assessment is important because an online questionnaire alone cannot provide a formal diagnosis.
Can You Take an Online ADHD Test First?
An online ADHD test can be a useful initial screening tool when you are considering whether to speak with your GP. Harrow Health provides a free adult ADHD symptom checker covering common experiences associated with ADHD.
However, an online test is not a diagnostic assessment. The result can help you decide whether further discussion with a healthcare professional is appropriate, but a formal diagnosis requires a clinical assessment.
What Happens If ADHD Is Diagnosed?
If ADHD is diagnosed and treatment is considered clinically appropriate, the pathway can continue into treatment and ongoing support. Harrow Health states that it provides medication titration where appropriate and manages prescribing and annual reviews directly.
The service also uses electronic prescribing, allowing prescriptions to be sent to a pharmacy of the patient’s choice across England. This provides continuity between assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning.
Does Your GP Need to Provide Shared Care?
One feature Harrow Health highlights is that its service does not require the referring GP to participate in a Shared Care arrangement. Harrow Health manages prescribing and annual reviews directly.
Shared Care arrangements can vary between providers and GP practices, so patients should understand how ongoing treatment will be managed before proceeding with an ADHD service. Always check the specific arrangements offered by the chosen provider.
Why Consider Right to Choose for ADHD Assessment?
For eligible adults in England, Right to Choose provides an alternative route to specialist ADHD assessment, particularly where local NHS waiting times are lengthy. Harrow Health offers a structured pathway covering referral, assessment, diagnosis and treatment.
If you are considering a Right to Choose ADHD assessment, speaking with your GP is the appropriate starting point. Understanding the eligibility criteria, referral process and available services can help you prepare for the next steps and make an informed decision about your assessment.Â