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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.
Excellent tutor
A wonderful tutor, full of knowledge and information. I can’t wait to get started! Thank you so much ☺️
Excellent course . Very informative and thorough. I will definitely recommend Global ADHD course to anyone.
course was well run and excellent
Management session even more enjoyable than diagnosis session! (Personal view: Number of cases done very adequate but wouldn't mind even more as like to do plenty of practical sessions based on real-life scenarios even as a takeaway homework to do on own to challenge & improve though process on titration & various management aspects)
Really enjoyed the course
Very insightful and detailed course. great interaction and presentation
The course was exceptionally well-structured combining both theoretical knowledge and practical insights. It covered diagnostic tools , evidence-based interventions allowing me to deepen my understanding of ADHD’s complexities.
The ADHD assessment course from privateadhd.com was incredibly informative and well-structured. It gave me practical tools and a clear framework to confidently assess and support adults with ADHD. Highly recommended for any healthcare professional working in this area
Good teaching on ADHD
Really enjoyed the course and Dr Rav was very informative
The teaching was very insightful
Course was very interactive and very educative.
Great course run well and gives a good understanding of the challenges that ADHD possesses and the impact of an early diagnosis. Good explanation of diagnostic criteria.
Course was very informative and easy to fall. The trainer was amazing in delivering the material. A must for anyone who has an interest in ADHD
Very very insightful, good eye opener and very educative
Well presented course. Very informative
Great, informative course. Learned tonnes and hope to practice the assessment soon.
Incredibly informative, essential and well organised course. Thank you.
Good Training.
ADHD VERIFICATION COMPLETION
I found the CPD training to be exceptionally clear, well-structured, and highly informative. The content was delivered in an engaging and accessible way, with excellent pacing throughout. The trainer’s delivery was particularly impressive, both insightful and impactful — making the learning experience extremely valuable.
I thoroughly enjoyed the interactive course, it made a difference especially learning from a professional who's not just talking the talk but also has walked the walk. The group case study was most helpful. It's worth been worth it. I'd recommend it to everyone health, social care and educational practitioner.
Great Course , able to follow training well . Good flow of teaching . enjoyed it and learnt a lot
I really enjoyed the course. The pace was very good and The trainer is passionate about his subject and very knowledgeable. I feel ready to assess and diagnose clients with ADHD with confidence and I will make good use of the training materials provided. Thanks so much for an amazing training day.
ADHD ASSESSMENT
RMN degree and DIVA Trained (ADHD assessor)
A great day, its given me an appetite to devleop my knowledge for ADHD
Course content and delivery was excellent
Fantastic course
Very informative and interesting!
A fully comprehensive course, well -paced, and interactive. Has left me feeling confident to go ahead and complete ADHD assessments in NHS and private settings.
Great course, very informative and well explained.
I am thrilled to have completed the ADHD DIVA training course. I believe this course will enhance my skills and experience as I venture further into Neurodiversity service and development.
Excellent course very educating, would recommend it anytime.
Very useful course, made it easier
The course was very interesting and learned a lot
excellent course, very in depth and high level of detail and first hand experience within the evolving sector that is neurodiversity
The course instructor was very knowledgeable. Overall the course was very high-quality however, I feel there could’ve been more time spent on the diva assessment and less in breakout rooms.
Very informative course
The course was exceptionally well-structured, combining both theoretical knowledge and practical insights. It covered both diagnostic tools, and evidence-based interventions and has given me a good understanding of how to diagnose ADHD and how it presents in adults and children.
Coming from a pharmacy background I didn't find this course challenging, however I still found it beneficial particularly the case studies. There was a video of a patient which I found quite difficult to follow perhaps because I was flagging and it was just before lunch. I would recommend this course to all clinicians.
I found the course and material very informative. Course delivery was very good , delivered by The trainer
Found the course very empowering.
Very informative course. Felt comfortable asking questions and going at a pace that was most helpful for the group
Extremely informative and enjoyed learning about the nice guidelines alongside the different medications individually. The case studies were extremely powerful.
Very informative , has transformed the way i understand the condition
good course
Great course, insightful. Able to put information into practice.
Thorough training. Good presentation and engaging. Could have done with training being slightly longer as it felt rushed at times. Materials mentioned which I can't find yet eg example report template and struggled with tech at times
Brilliant, would like to have spent a little more time going through them a little slower. Maybe the course needs to b 2 days, more cases.
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.
Very informative
Thank you for a very informative course
Very informative and promotes up to date evidence on ADHD. The trainer seems very knowledgeable and polite. Slideshow was very small on my screen, couldn’t really see it and I don’t think it was my device.
The trainer's session was really informative, made be more confident in assessing and diagnosis of ADHD - I'm particularly interested in Management as a pharmacist but as NICE outlines pharmacists need to be able to confirm any given diagnosis. It has given me a great base understanding. Looking forward to continue learning and the management course next week
Great
Excellent assessment training. Very in-depth and with lots of additional information for further reading.
Very informative
The course felt personalised, supportive, and genuinely empowering. The trainer is incredibly knowledgeable—not just about the science of ADHD, but also about the real-life challenges it brings.
Great course
Brilliant course well delivered .The trainer was very composed and professional answered all question posed to him by candidates through the session.
I really enjoyed the course, he was really informative!
The course was very useful and extremely good.
I really enjoyed the course. It was very informative. I would introduce others. Learnt a lot. Will be interested in doing Management course
Great course. a lot of disruptions at the end, hard when you have sat through a long day of information overload.
Very informative and relevant.
Great course, really good presentation full of information and real life examples
Really interesting and informative course, very well paced. Interactive parts could possibly be a little shorter.
Very well taught lesson and delivered. Very interactive and I really enjoyed the lessons.
Fabulous course, very well delivered, informative and practical. Loved The trainer's enthusiasm and sincerity.
Great course structure
Great course. Would recommend and helped me understand the diagnostic process of ADHD.
GREAT TEACHING
The course was well-structured, walking me through each stage of the diagnostic process in a way that felt empowering rather than clinical. The course was thoughtfully structured, with each step building insight, clarity, and confidence. I thoroughly enjoyed the course-Thank you!
Very informative. Thank you
Thank you for an excellent course. It was thorough and informative. As an AHP, I now feel fully equipped and qualified to take part in an MDT assessment for ADHD in children and adults.
I enjoyed the clinical case scenarios
Brilliant training! Lots of information given and lot of additional materials given for further reading.
Very well delivered 2 days. The trainer was so patient and treated everyone with respect despite repetitive questions. He would still take his to re-explain. He made any anxieties disappear within minutes of joining. I have recommend a few colleagues who are in the process of registration.
Amazing training, engaging and thorough
Fantastic engaging information course presented in an affable encouraging manner.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the course. It has been engaging and interactive which has suited my learning style.it is delivered well and very informative. The trainer is very knowledgeable and has enabled me to broaden my knowledge and take away information to read further.
Great and very informative
Great course, felt engaged throughout which is very rare! The content will definitely be valuable to my clinical practice.
Very detailed and informative - really enjoyed it
Very informative
Very interactive and informative course which has given me tools and knowledge to assess and diagnose ADHD
Really enjoyed the course, informative and pitched at a good level and pace. Very inclusive and facilitator was both knowledgeable and supportive.
Very informative, supportive and really engaging
Review Pending
refreshing and insightful
Incredibly interesting and informative. Clear instructions on how to interpret and provide ADHD diagnoses and examples of this. I feel that I have a much clearer understanding to work with clients moving forward
very good, well delivered
Great course, very informative
Fantastic course. I am thoroughly confident that it has given me the knowledge and skills required to perform diagnostic assessments for ADHD. The trainer exceptionally delivered the course content along with his own inside insights to ADHD. I would love to collaborate with him regarding setting up transitional services for neurodivergent clients moving from child to adult services given the huge gap there and my paediatric nursing experience. Please get in touch!
Excellent course very informative and interactive
Informative
Very informative.
Fantastic course with wonderful learning. I am looking forward to pursuing a further career in this area asap!
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.
