Understanding NHS Right to Choose
Please note that Mind Professionals is not currently taking referrals for Right to Choose and this page is for information only. We will update the website as soon as this changes.
The NHS Right to Choose is a national NHS policy that gives patients in England the right to choose which NHS-approved provider they are referred to for certain services, including some mental health and neurodevelopmental assessments.
This page explains what Right to Choose is, how it works in general, and how it relates to Mind Professionals
What is NHS Right to Choose?
Under NHS Right to Choose, patients in England can ask their GP to refer them to an NHS provider of their choice for certain services, as long as:
- The service is eligible
- The provider holds a qualifying NHS contract for that service
- The provider is accepting Right to Choose referrals at that time
Right to Choose is designed to give patients more choice and, in some cases, help reduce waiting times by allowing referrals beyond local NHS services.
Does Right to Choose apply to Autism and ADHD assessments?
- The provider has a national or qualifying NHS contract that supports Right to Choose, and
- The referral meets NHS eligibility and clinical criteria.
However, Right to Choose availability is provider-specific, service-specific, and can change over time depending on NHS commissioning arrangements.
How can I access other services at Mind Professionals?
Although Right to Choose is not currently available with us, there are two other ways to access our services:
1. Local NHS pathways
Mind Professionals delivers NHS-funded Autism and ADHD assessments through local NHS contracts commissioned by Mid & South East Essex ICB.
These services:
- Are only available to patients registered with a GP in that ICB area
- Require a GP referral
- Are not part of the national Right to Choose scheme
Availability depends on where your GP practice is located and which NHS contracts are currently live.
2. Self-pay assessments
Self-pay assessments are available for children, young people, and adults and do not require a GP referral. These follow the same clinical standards and NICE guidance as our NHS-funded services.
Not sure which route applies to you?
Because NHS availability can change, we recommend checking current access routes before asking your GP to refer.
You can also visit: