What is Right to Choose for autism assessment?

Right to Choose can allow an eligible patient in England to choose an NHS-funded provider for a clinically appropriate first outpatient referral. Whether it applies depends on the referral, service and provider contract, so check the current NHS Kent and Medway information and discuss suitability with the referrer.

How long does Right to Choose autism assessment take in Kent?

Waiting times change by provider, age group, condition and assessment pathway. Check the provider's current published estimate before choosing and ask what the estimate measures, because first contact, assessment and final report dates may differ.

Can my GP refuse Right to Choose?

Your GP cannot refuse to refer you under Right to Choose if they agree a referral is clinically appropriate. The choice of provider is yours, not theirs. If your GP is unfamiliar with the process, show them the NHS England guidance or contact the Kent and Medway ICB for support.

Does Right to Choose work for children in Kent?

Yes. Right to Choose applies to children and young people as well as adults. For children's autism assessments in Kent, providers include Psicon (Canterbury-based), ProblemShared, and others contracted by Kent and Medway ICB.

Is Right to Choose free?

Yes. Right to Choose assessments are fully funded by the NHS. You pay nothing. The provider is paid directly by the NHS, just like any other NHS referral. This is not a private assessment — it is an NHS assessment delivered by an alternative provider.

Right to Choose Autism Assessment Kent: Current NHS Route

⚡ The short version: Right to Choose may let you select an eligible NHS-funded provider for a clinically appropriate first outpatient referral. Provider eligibility and waits change, and the route can differ by age and condition. Check the current NHS Kent and Medway guidance before asking for a referral.

What Is Right to Choose?

Right to Choose is an NHS England legal right under the NHS Constitution that allows patients to choose their healthcare provider for a first outpatient appointment. For autism and ADHD, this means you can ask your GP to refer you (or your child) to an approved alternative provider instead of the standard local pathway.

This is not going private. The provider is contracted by and paid by the NHS. You pay nothing.

Why Does This Matter in Kent?

Autism and ADHD assessment waits can be long, but a single fixed Kent figure quickly becomes misleading. Waiting time varies by age, pathway, provider capacity and what is counted as the start or end point.

Ask both the local service and any alternative provider for a current estimate, whether the list is open, and the likely time to first contact, assessment and completed report.

How to Use Right to Choose: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Choose Your Provider

Do not rely on a copied provider list: contracts, age criteria, referral forms and whether lists are open can change. Use the current NHS Kent and Medway Right to Choose page and the provider's own NHS referral information.

Before choosing, confirm the provider accepts your age group and condition, is accepting new NHS-funded referrals, offers an accessible assessment format, and explains what happens after diagnosis.

Step 2: Ask Your GP for a Referral

Book a GP appointment and explain that you want to exercise your Right to Choose. Here's what to say:

📋 Script for your GP appointment:

"I'd like to request a referral for [autism/ADHD] assessment for [myself/my child]. I'd like to use my Right to Choose and be referred to [provider name] instead of the standard local pathway. I understand this is my legal right under the NHS Constitution and that the assessment will be funded by the NHS."

Step 3: What Happens If Your GP Says No?

If the clinician agrees that a referral is clinically appropriate, ask them to consider your eligible provider choice. The right is not unlimited: exclusions and service-contract rules can apply, and the provider must be suitable for the referral.

If your GP is reluctant or unfamiliar:

Show them the Kent and Medway ICB Right to Choose page
Reference NHS England's Right to Choose guidance
Ask to see a different GP at the practice
Contact Kent and Medway Neurodevelopmental Service for support
If still refused, make a formal complaint to the practice manager and contact NHS England

Step 4: After Referral

Once referred, ask the provider to confirm receipt and give its current estimates for triage, assessment and the final report. Do not assume an old website estimate still applies.

An NHS-funded diagnosis should be considered on its clinical quality and relevance. A diagnosis can inform support, but an EHCP or DLA decision is based on needs and functional impact rather than diagnosis alone.

Right to Choose vs Private Assessment

	Right to Choose	Private	Standard NHS
Cost	Free (NHS-funded)	£1,200–£2,500	Free
Wait	Check current provider estimate	Check current provider estimate	Check current local pathway estimate
GP referral needed?	Yes	Usually no	Yes
Diagnosis accepted by?	NHS, schools, DWP, EHCP	NHS may not accept*	All bodies

*Some NHS services may request re-assessment after a private diagnosis. RTC diagnoses are fully NHS-recognised.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Right to Choose if I've already been referred to the standard pathway?

Yes. You can request a transfer to a Right to Choose provider at any point during your wait. You don't need to start from scratch — ask your GP to redirect the referral.

Does Right to Choose work for ADHD as well as autism?

Yes. Right to Choose covers both autism and ADHD assessments, diagnosis, and (for adults) medication titration. The accredited providers list includes both autism and ADHD specialists.

What if my child needs both autism and ADHD assessment?

Some providers (Psicon, The Owl Centre, Sinclair-Strong) assess for both. Ask at the point of referral whether the provider can do a combined assessment.

Will the diagnosis help with an EHCP?

Yes. A Right to Choose diagnosis carries the same weight as any NHS diagnosis. You can use it to support an EHCP application in Kent.

Is there an age limit?

No. Right to Choose applies to children, young people, and adults. Provider availability varies by age — see the provider lists above.

Right to Choose Autism Assessment in Kent