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NHS Right to Choose allows patients in England to choose where they receive their NHS outpatient care, including ADHD assessments. Where long local waiting lists exist, this pathway enables referral to an alternative NHS-commissioned provider elsewhere in England.
For ADHD clinicians, understanding how Right to Choose operates is increasingly important. Many patients are actively requesting it, yet awareness and interpretation of the framework can vary between GP practices and local NHS systems.
This page outlines the legal basis, eligibility criteria, referral mechanics, and practical considerations specific to ADHD services.
When considering ADHD assessment for adults or children, there are generally two broad routes:
Right to Choose does not apply in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, as healthcare is devolved and equivalent patient choice legislation has not been implemented in the same way.
Right to Choose is a patient choice right within NHS England. It applies when:
It is important to distinguish between:
A useful way to conceptualise this is:
The clinician decides whether a referral is clinically indicated. The patient decides where that referral is sent, provided the provider meets eligibility criteria.
Patients cannot be referred to any provider of their choosing. The selected provider must:
Many ADHD assessment services accessed under Right to Choose are independent sector organisations contracted to provide NHS services to NHS standards. These providers operate within NHS clinical governance frameworks.
If medication is initiated, prescriptions are issued under NHS arrangements.
Right to Choose does not apply in certain circumstances. Patients are not eligible if they are:
These exclusions are defined within NHS England guidance and should be reviewed when complex circumstances arise.
Clinicians frequently raise the following questions:
Is an Individual Funding Request required?
No. An IFR is not required where the provider holds a qualifying NHS contract.
Does the Integrated Care Board need to approve the referral?
No additional permission is required if the provider meets the eligibility criteria under Right to Choose.
Does ADHD assessment fall within the Right to Choose framework?
Yes. ADHD outpatient assessment falls within scope, provided the conditions outlined above are met.
Several NHS systems commission ADHD assessment services from independent providers. These are often informally referred to as “Right to Choose providers,” although legally they are simply NHS-contracted providers eligible under the framework.
Patients may request direct referral to one of these providers rather than entering their local waiting list.
Each provider sets out its own referral process, typically requiring:
Clinicians should advise patients to review the chosen provider’s referral guidance carefully to avoid administrative delays.
Many outsourced ADHD providers initiate medication but require a Shared Care Agreement with the patient’s GP for long-term prescribing.
This creates several practical considerations:
Clinicians should ensure patients understand that refusal of shared care may affect ongoing prescribing arrangements.
Right to Choose has significantly reduced access delays for many ADHD patients in England. However, increasing demand has led to local commissioning tensions and, in some areas, attempts to restrict referrals.
Policy and commissioning arrangements are evolving. Clinicians should remain alert to:
As this is a dynamic area of healthcare policy, advice may change over time.
For ADHD clinicians, the key principles are:
A well-informed approach reduces delays, supports patient autonomy, and helps ensure equitable access to ADHD assessment services across England.
NHS Right to Choose is a lawful and established patient choice mechanism within England. For ADHD assessments, it provides an alternative pathway where local waiting times are prolonged.
Clinicians play a critical role in understanding the framework, supporting informed patient decisions, and navigating referral logistics appropriately.
Clear communication, accurate documentation, and awareness of commissioning criteria are central to ensuring this pathway operates effectively and in accordance with NHS policy.
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A few of our frequently asked questions about this course
With the UK facing a growing ADHD diagnosis crisis, NHS waiting lists now average 2–3 years due to the high demand for assessments. By taking this course, you’ll not only gain specialist skills but also play a crucial role in alleviating this crisis. As a healthcare professional, you’ll be making a meaningful difference to individuals in urgent need of timely support and helping to address the ADHD backlog.
Since updates to the NG87 NICE guidelines, the guidance now states that ADHD diagnosis can be carried out by a “suitably qualified practitioner.” To be considered suitably qualified, practitioners must complete specific training that provides them with the knowledge and practical tools to deliver accurate diagnoses.
Our course offers an in-depth look into ADHD in adults, covering DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, the widely recognised DIVA assessment, and practical guidance from expert instructors. You’ll also gain insights into the evolution of ADHD understanding and explore best practices through real-world scenarios.
This course is open to all healthcare practitioners. Prices vary for consultant psychiatrists. As we are a training provider only, please be aware that we do not verify practitioner credentials, and each participant is responsible for securing their own professional indemnity after completing the course.
The course runs for a full 8-hour day via video link on Microsoft Teams. Participants are expected to engage fully in discussions, complete mock assessments, and participate in a final Q&A assessment to demonstrate their understanding.
Participants who complete the course receive a recognised CPD certification, which not only enhances professional credibility but can also be submitted to insurance providers as proof of ADHD diagnostic competence.
With demand for ADHD testing rising each year, private ADHD assessments have become a valuable income stream for qualified practitioners, with professionals able to charge up to £1,500 per assessment. This qualification offers flexibility, allowing you to incorporate assessments into existing work commitments.
Very well taught lesson and delivered. Very interactive and I really enjoyed the lessons.
Great Course , able to follow training well . Good flow of teaching . enjoyed it and learnt a lot
Great course - very insightful and thorough
Great and very informative
The course was very interesting and learned a lot
excellent delivery of material
Great course, very detailed and inspiring
Amazing! Very enjoyable and informative. Thank you so much for hosting the course as it really gives me a better understanding around adhd diagnosis and management and my interest in it has grown immensely, would definitely like to pursue a career in it :)
interactive, informative
I attended on Saturday, and the learning experience was incredible. It confirmed that ADHD is definitely my career route, and I look forward to attending the management course.
This was soo enlightening and encouraging and critical as i am in the process of career change.
Fantastic course, very informative. Would highly recommend.
Lovely course, very interested in learning more.
Excellent course again. In depth, detailed and engaging. The trainer is a brilliant tutor
I’m happy I attended this much needed course to support /learn how to assess ADHD
really good course full of practical examples and clinical relevancy to re-enforce the learning
excellent course
Great course
The ADHD training was informative and insightful. I appreciated the level of detail and the effort the facilitator put into explaining the concepts. However, I found that one day (eight hours) wasn’t quite enough to take in all the information because the topic is quite broad and detailed. I’m still in the process of going through the learning materials again to deepen my understanding and reinforce what I’ve learned. Overall, the session was valuable and gave me a good foundation, but I would have benefited from more time to digest and practice the concepts covered.
I had a lot of knowledge about ADHD as a condition (both due to my personal experience as well as the clients I work with) but having that deep understanding of different management techniques and what to consider with medications is massively helpful. Thank you for teaching in a way that makes sense to me!
I have attended the course which was led by The trainer, very informative and professional, had exercises in different rooms and shared so much knowledge and the facilitator (The trainer) was also involved making sure we understood the task expected.
The teaching was very insightful
Very informative, engaging sessions
Great
All course content were very information and well presented.
Excellent Training. I have wanted to complete this training for some time. It has not disappointed. Quite the opposite really.
Brilliant experience, The trainer was very knowledgeable on the subject and his experience shone throughout the training session. Really good techniques used within the training that helps with the learning process!
Good Course
A basic course that gives the necessary information. Thank you
Great course
I found the course to be highly informative and well-interacted. The content was clearly structured, up-to-date, and relevant to real-world practice.
BSC (Hons) Psychology, MSC Applied Forensic Psychology, PgDip Forensic Psychology
Great course, insightful. Able to put information into practice.
Excellent course, The trainer is magnificent as a speaker and admin support brilliant, can't recommend this course enough.
Excellent training and well structured, thank you for everything and hoping to work with you in the future.
Enjoyed the day, learnt lots
This was a clear, well-structured course that improved my understanding of adult ADHD assessment and differential diagnosis. The clinical examples and emphasis on functional impairment were particularly helpful.
Well thought out course, calm and thoughtful tutor with loads of experience
I have been so inspired working in the assessment clinic for ADHD having done the training.. I feel privileged. would so much want to join the Team.
Very insightful and comprehensive
Really enjoyable session learning about titrating,pharmacology and pharmacokinetics. The trainer provided excellent information and overall great resources were provided. I have walked away happy and confident in being able to at least titrate doses and take into other factors into my overall prescribing decision.
Thoroughly enjoyed the training and gained so much from it.
Great course, very informative
Great course
A really interesting and informative day. I look forward to putting this course to good practise and helping those struggling with undiagnosed ADHD. Thank you.
The course content was very clear and comprehensive. I enjoyed the interaction in the breakout sessions. All questions were taken and answered clearly. The trainer was very calm clear articulate patient and came across as very knowledgeable and compassionate.
ADHD VERIFICATION COMPLETION
Great first day, looking forward to tomorrow's session. I did feel that the break-out room time may be bit lengthy. Felt like getting back into bigger groups and hearing The trainer's experience was more beneficial. Or prehaps, switching up the groups?
Lovely trainer, well delivered
Training is informative.
Thank you, very helpful course
Very well taught
I recently completed the ADHD pharmacological management course from adultadhd.com, and it was incredibly insightful and practical. A special thanks to The trainer for clearly explaining the different dose titration strategies — his approach made a complex topic easy to understand. The course has boosted my confidence in managing ADHD in adults and provided valuable tools for safe and effective prescribing. Highly recommended!
It was good. Would be good to know if someone comes (adult), what documents/ forms/ letters needs to be filled to diagnose them with ADHD, along with the DIVA.
Wonderful training, exceptional trainer
really flexible and understanding with a last minute childcare issue - but the information provided is extremely valuable and concise.
The trainer demonstrated a genuine passion for supporting individuals who are neurodivergent, such as those with ADHD and autism. The DIVA Assessment and Diagnosis training was both informative and engaging, and I left feeling inspired to implement positive changes within my practice.
found the ADHD Assessor Course to be an incredibly valuable and well-structured training experience. It provided a comprehensive overview of ADHD assessment protocols, diagnostic criteria, and the practical skills required to conduct thorough and patient-centred evaluations. The content was evidence-based and clinically relevant, with a strong emphasis on both accuracy and empathy in the assessment process. The course facilitators were knowledgeable and approachable, offering real-world insights and support throughout. I now feel much more confident in my ability to contribute meaningfully to ADHD assessment pathways and support individuals in accessing timely and appropriate care. I would highly recommend this course to any healthcare professional looking to expand their expertise in ADHD assessment.
Very good informative feel I have gained underpinning knowledge in order to complete assessment correct
The training was engaging and well-structured, with a good balance of theory, interactive discussion, and actionable techniques. I noted the trainer’s empathy, expertise, and relatable examples, which created a supportive learning environment. Very informative
Excellent class and delivery
The course covered the scope of what I wanted to learn and much more, participation in the course inspired me to look into non medical prescribing. I would definitely recommend this diagnostic course to anyone interested in extending their ADHD knowledge base and I look forward to participating in the upcoming management course.
Excellent course and highly recommended
The ADHD Adult Diagnostic Assessment (DIVA-5) was conducted in a highly professional and structured manner. The process was comprehensive, evidence-based, and enabled a clear understanding of the individual’s developmental history and current presentation. The assessment training provided a balanced exploration of both NICE and DSM offering valuable clinical insights. Overall, it was a thorough and supportive experience that fostered clarity, validation, and informed planning for appropriate next steps.
Great course. Loads of information. The trainer is brilliant and his experience is invaluable. I feel if the DIVA tool was used throughout the training from the get go it would of been more helpful. The actual use of it at the end was a bit rushed. Overall I feel the course is excellent.
Fabulous course, very well delivered, informative and practical. Loved The trainer's enthusiasm and sincerity.
Very informant course.
Enjoyed the course, in particular going through the DIVA-5.
Enriching CPD Course
Highly informative, and clear, structured training on how to complete assessments using DIVA. Trainer encouraged interaction and delivered the content in an engaging, concise way. Slides could be larger as difficult to see on screen.
Invaluable and informative day. A detailed analysis of the methodology of using medication in supporting patients with ADHD.
Informative course, enjoyed the interactive parts very much. You can tell that The trainer is very well informed with regards to ADHD.
Very informative and relevant.
The trainer did a great job presenting the information, made it very easy to follow along.
Good course, helpful, and delivered well. Thank you.
Very good training and insightful
ADHD course was delivered with great perfection
Extremly well planned and was very easy to understanfd, loved the break out room
Great course, clear concise information and a great start at looking at ADHD
The course was very detailed . The tutor explained every stage of the way on how an assessor need to conduct the assessment and focus on the tool we used. The Tutor gave every one of us a chance to interact/participate in groups. I really liked the way the training was done. It was an eye opener in how to conduct an ADHD assessment. The Tutor was partiant and we would ask questions and he explained fully even after the training was over.
I really enjoyed the course, he was really informative!
Very insightful and detailed course. great interaction and presentation
This training is a life changer I can as well diagnose myself 👏
very good, well delivered
Course was very interactive and very educative.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this course, it's comprehensive, a lot of information in one day but the structure of the course, the knowledge sharing, and course delivery was excellent. I look forward to being able to use this, for my own professional development, but, also, so that I can hopefully improve outcomes, and quality of life for others. Thank you.
Fantastic course, highly informative and very well run
I really enjoyed attending the assessment and diagnosis course for ADHD. The course is well structured and insightful. I am keen to put my learning into practice now.
The course was very informative
Great session, would definitely recommend
Well enjoyed and informative
Attending the ADHD Medication Management course has significantly enhanced my clinical confidence and prescribing competence when supporting individuals with ADHD. The course provided a comprehensive overview of pharmacological options, including stimulant and non-stimulant therapies, and offered practical strategies for monitoring treatment effectiveness and managing side effects. The evidence-based content, combined with real-world case discussions, has strengthened my ability to deliver safe, person-centred, and effective care. I would highly recommend this course to any healthcare professional involved in ADHD management."
This was an extremely well delivered and informative course which has helped develop my confidence in using the DIVA and ADHD awareness.
GREAT COURSE VERY WELL STRUCTURED.
Really enjoyed the course very informative. It was worth it.
I found the course and material very informative. Course delivery was very good , delivered by The trainer
Really enjoyed the course, informative and pitched at a good level and pace. Very inclusive and facilitator was both knowledgeable and supportive.
excellent depth of context
Very informative session today. Good resources and explanation of diagnostic tools. Time given for break out rooms to discuss with other clinicians.
Good course
This comprehensive training, guided by experienced ADHD specialists, ensures participants are well-prepared to handle diverse cases and offers the added benefit of earning a recognised CPD certification. This certification not only validates your expertise but also enhances your professional credibility in the field. We encourage you to book the course today to advance your skills in ADHD diagnosis.
If you have any questions or need assistance in choosing the right course for you, please get in contact with us. Our team is here to support you every step of the way.
