The national NHS Choice Framework gives all NHS patients in England the legal ‘right to choose’ (RTC) the service that provides their healthcare. The Right to Choose applies when a patient is referred for a first consultant led outpatient appointment if they have to wait longer than the maximum waiting times (usually 18 weeks).
The Right to Choose is different to a private referral made by a GP or by the patient, where care and treatment are privately funded and outside of the NHS. The most recent NHS Right to Choose Guidance can be found here NHS England » Patient choice guidance.
From April 2025, the NHS Children and Young Peoples Neurodevelopmental Assessment Pathway for 5 to 18 years olds in Doncaster will be delivered by Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humberside NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) (https://www.rdash.nhs.uk/services/neurodevelopment/).
The NHS Autism Assessment Pathway for children aged under 5 years of age is delivered by Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (DBTHFT) as part of the Community Paediatrics service.
The Right to Choose an alternative provider is available for Children and Young People (CYP) in Doncaster at the point it has been decided that a full neurodevelopmental assessment (to determine diagnosis or not) is the appropriate clinical route.
GPs are not able to refer Children and Young People for NHS Neurodevelopmental Assessments in Doncaster to the commissioned providers (RDASH and DBTH). This is carried out by schools, usually by the School Special Educational Needs Coordinator, or Health Visitors.
Although a GP cannot determine which provider a family should opt for under Right to Choose, they should provide a central role in guiding carers and families to understand the pathway processes and in making an informed decision. This provides a good opportunity to discuss the benefits and disadvantages of choosing a private provider through the NHS. Right to Choose may not be the most appropriate solution for some people, depending on type of need or circumstance. It is important to make an informed decision.
It is key to note that eligibility checks are undertaken prior to the GP referral being made to the Right to Choose provider.
Choosing a provider
In Doncaster, the GP is responsible for making the referral on behalf of families to their preferred provider under Right to Choose.
NHS South Yorkshire ICB is not able to provide recommendations about which provider you should choose. Under the legislation for Right to Choose a Provider of Choice must have:
- An NHS contract to deliver this type of assessment with any Integrated Care Board or NHS England.
- a service and team led by a consultant or a mental health professional
- a CQC-regulated service. This may be confirmed by searching the full list of services CQC regulate at: https://www.cqc.org.uk
The guidance from ADHD charities/organisations below may be helpful in deciding on a Provider of Choice. However, please note that NHS South Yorkshire ICB cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information on these websites.
There is also a guide to help young people/ parent(s)/ family consider the options and make a choice - National Choice Framework
There is also lots of information about support available while you are waiting for assessment on the Doncaster SEND Local Offer and via Doncaster Parents Voice.
What to Consider
To make an informed choice you might want to ask your Provider of Choice about:
- Current waiting times
- Whether or not the Provider is able to assess for all aspects of Neurodevelopment (Autism and/or ADHD)
- How the Provider will keep your GP informed about care and treatment, including medication
- What the options are for post-diagnostic care under the NHS, including medication prescribing and shared care arrangements.
The Provider of Choice, with consent from the young person/ parent(s)/family, will confirm with the relevant NHS South Yorkshire area that they have been selected as a provider of choice.
Only one organisation/Provider can be responsible for the care of the person – this means that children and young people cannot be on more than one Provider’s waiting list.
Care after diagnosis
If your child or young person is diagnosed with ADHD and medication is recommended the Provider of Choice may expect your GP to enter a shared care protocol for ongoing prescribing and reviewing of this medication. This is a decision for each GP to make about whether to agree to a shared care protocol with a Provider of Choice or not.
Referral process
To go through the adult Right to Choose pathway, you will first need to speak to a GP at your practice about why you think you may have ADHD or autism. It might be helpful to give your GP observations and information in writing. The GP will decide if it is clinically appropriate for you to be assessed for ADHD or Autism (or both) and can talk to you about the Right to Choose option.
This would also be a good opportunity to discuss the benefits and disadvantages of choosing a private provider through the NHS. Right to choose may not be the most appropriate solution for some people, depending on the type of need or circumstance. It is important to make an informed decision.
Should you decide to proceed, the GP would then complete the referral to your Provider of Choice.
Choosing a Provider
NHS South Yorkshire ICB is not able to provide recommendations about which provider you should choose with your GP under an NHS Choice pathway. We do not hold a list of private providers across the country. However, there are restrictions on who can provide your care, which you should be considered. For a provider to provide assessment and care under right to choose they must have:
- a commissioning contract with any Integrated Care Board or NHS England for the required service
- a service and team led by a consultant or a mental health professional
- a CQC-regulated service. This may be confirmed by searching the full list of services CQC regulate at: https://www.cqc.org.uk
The reviewing guidance from ADHD charities/organisations below may be helpful in deciding on a provider. However, please note the ICB cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information on these websites.
Please note that the decision to agree to share care and prescribe medication following an assessment by your provider of choice rests with the GP.
What to Consider
To make an informed choice you might want to ask your Provider of Choice about:
- Current waiting times
- Whether or not the Provider is able to assess for all aspects of Neurodevelopment (Autism and/or ADHD)
- How the Provider will keep your GP informed about care and treatment, including medication
- What the options are for post-diagnostic care under the NHS, including medication prescribing and shared care arrangements.
