Right to Choose is a legal rule in England that lets you pick an alternative NHS approved and funded provider for your ADHD or ASD assessment. The introduction of this service has made the average wait time for assessment much lower that the original Local NHS Trust Pathway.
How to Get an NHS Assessment for ADHD and/or Autism via RtC:
- Contact Combe Coastal Practice Team: Explain that you would like to be assessed for ASD and/or ADHD. Please ensure we have your mobile and email address on your records. There is no need to book a GP appointment at this stage.
- Wait to receive an email or text from Combe Coastal Practice: We will send you over details of the right to choose services available in North Devon. It is up to the individual to choose their provider. You can take a look at the local options on the North & East Devon ICB Website at: ADHD and Autism FAQ – North & East. It is important if you are being assessment for ADHD, that you choose from one of the providers listed with a shared care agreement in place for the Devon locality to ensure if medication is required, this can be organised by your specialist and GP working together. Please make note of age and assessment restrictions listed for each provider.
- Visit the website for your chosen provider and ensure you select the “Right to Choose (RtC)” option to see if any additional forms or processes are needed to get started.
- Start your referral request online on the providers website if this option is available, or download any forms needed for completion prior to assessment.
- Send your completed form/s through to us via email, or drop them into the surgery. We will need your name & DOB on all the paperwork and your mobile number and email if we don’t already have it Our email address is: [email protected]
- Your forms will be checked and scanned onto your records and your GP will be made aware that you wish to be assessed.
- If your GP has everything needed from you for referral and is already aware of any symptoms you feel are related to possible ADHD/ASD, then they may be able to refer you at this stage without making an appointment.
- If your GP needs further information regarding your symptoms, you will be asked to call the surgery to book a routine Telephone call/Face to Face appointment with your own GP to discuss before referral can be made.
- If the GP agrees to referral, we will send off all your details including any questionnaires, further details, GP referral letter & an SCR summary of you records to your chosen provider. Once we have referred you, we will send you confirmation via mobile phone message.
- Wait to receive further contact from your chosen provider. Combe Coastal Practice are not able to give waiting times, or expedite appointments through Right to Choose.
Additional Routes (Non-RtC):
If you require assessment under the local NHS Trust Pathway – DANA (for people wishing not to go through the RtC process, complex cases and moderate/severe mental health) please fill the forms required in Initial Forms section below. We will be in touch to request anything further, but you will likely need to have been seen by a GP or mental health professional prior to referral.
For any children between 6-8 for ADHD assessment (Children under 6 years old can not be referred for ADHD assessment) or Children under 6 for ASD assessment (Children under 2 can not be referred for ASD assessment)
They will need to go through the Paediatrics team at the hospital first. In this case we will require a RDUH-Updated-NAP-RAF-Parent-Carer-Section-Nov-25 – to be completed by the parent/guardian/carer. and a RDUH-Updated-NAP-RAF-Education-Setting-Section-Nov-25 – to be completed by an educational setting (Usually SEND at the child’s school).
For more information visit: ADHD – RDUH Northern & Eastern Community Paediatric Team – North & East
What the Assessment Involves:
- Screening questionnaires: Detailed forms filled out by you and someone who knows your developmental history, like a parent, close friend or partner.
- Clinical interviews: Structured conversations with specialists, such as psychologists or paediatricians, looking at communication, behaviour, and medical history. These can be done Face to Face in Devon, or Online depending on your chosen provider.
- Diagnostic outcome: A final report confirming if you meet the criteria for autism, ADHD, or another neurodivergent profile.
Initial Forms:
Many of our patients find it helpful to have a close friend or family member to help them complete the paperwork for the referral process and get it sent back to us in a timely manner. If we have been made aware of your request for assessment and are awaiting forms, we will remind you to send these in for up to 3 months via text message/email. If we do not hear back from you after 3 months we will close the request and wait for you to get back in contact with us with your completed forms.
Adult ASD referrals will require completion of an AQ50 Adult Autism with scoring or AQ10 Adult Autism questionnaire (click to download)
Adult ADHD referrals will require completion of an ASRS Adult ADHD Self Report Scale (click to download)
Children over 8 being referred for ADHD will require a Parent Vanderbilt Child ADHD form (click to download)
Children over 6 being referred for ASD will require an AQ10 Child Autism form (click to download)
Any children under the age restrictions for standard RtC referral or with complex needs or moderate/severe mental health will need to be referred to paediatrics for assessment or wait until they are old enough to undergo assessment.
If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact the Secretary Team via the above email address, or by calling 01271 863119.