ADHD and Autism FAQs for primary care professionals

Yes – referrals should still be made

• Referrals should still be made to locally commissioned services in the first instance, unless the patient expresses a preference for Right to Choose.
• Patients should be advised that accessing Right to Choose may not result in faster assessment compared to local services.

Yes – referrals should still be made

• Right to Choose referrals can still be made for patients without a formal diagnosis, where clinically appropriate.
• Standard referral pathways and eligibility requirements should still be followed.

No.

• Patients retain their legal right to choose
• Practices should:
  • Explain both options clearly (local vs Right to Choose)
  • Highlight that Right to Choose may not be quicker
  • Support informed patient choice

Yes, providers are expected to -

• Under choice regulations, providers should continue to accept and triage referrals.
• Providers are expected to identify and prioritise higher-risk patients as part of this process.

People can only be on one waiting list for the same type of assessment at one time. This applies to locally commissioned NHS services and Right to Choose providers

• Patients can be advised that:
  • Providers may manage referrals differently based on capacity and activity plans
  • Alternative Right to Choose providers may be considered where appropriate
  • If they are thinking about changing provider, it is important to understand what this may mean for their current referral before making a decision.
• Practices should ensure referrals meet provider requirements and are clinically appropriate
   

No formal, standardised prioritisation criteria are held centrally by the Integrated Care Board.
•    Prioritisation criteria for Right to Choose referrals are set by individual providers and may vary.
•    Practices should direct specific queries about eligibility or prioritisation to the relevant provider.
 

Practices should inform patients that:

• They have the right to choose an alternative provider for ADHD assessment where eligible.
• Locally commissioned NHS services should usually be offered first.
• Patients can opt for Right to Choose if they prefer, but waiting times may may be similar to, or in some cases longer than, local services depending on demand due to current demand and indicative activity plans. Indicative Activity Plans (IAPs) set out how much activity a provider is expected to deliver within a financial year - they help manage demand, capacity and align services with population need.
• Our website is the central depository for information: Autism and ADHD Assessment Services : NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight
   

No confirmed changes have been formally issued at this time.

We are currently in the process of developing and mobilising a Single Point of Access for ADHD and Autism services and it is expected this service will go live in July 2026. However,  further  communications will be shared with primary care colleagues ahead of mobilisation. In the interim practices should continue to follow current arrangements, noting that activity plans are in place and processes may continue to evolve as capacity and demand are reviewed.

No formal, standardised prioritisation criteria are held centrally by the Integrated Care Board.

• Prioritisation criteria for Right to Choose referrals are set by individual providers and may vary.
• Practices should direct specific queries about eligibility or prioritisation to the relevant provider.

The receiving provider is responsible for: 

• Advising patients of expected waiting times
• Providing information on other support services available while waiting
   

Please see below the breakdown of service providers by place.

Current waiting time data:

• A data validation exercise is underway, reviewing referrals and pathway demand
• Accurate waiting time figures cannot currently be shared while data validation is ongoing to ensure accuracy
• The aim is to avoid providing misleading or inaccurate expectations

Additional support: Right to Choose Support at every stage: before, during, after, or without an assessment

• Available regardless of referral route (Right to Choose or local)
• Needs-led and accessible to: 
  • Individuals waiting for assessment
  • Those self-identifying as neurodivergent
  • Those already diagnosed

• In Hampshire and Isle of Wight, referrals can be made in line with local arrangements.
• Primary care communications have confirmed that Right to Choose can be used, but pathways may differ compared to adults.
• For ADHD, CAMHS remains the standard route for children and young people
• For autism, local autism pathways (for example Owl Centre) still apply