Right to Choose ADHD Referral Letter Template (UK)

Your Right to Choose is established under Section 75 of the NHS Act 2006 and reinforced by NHS England guidance on patient choice. This legislation gives NHS patients in England the right to choose which organisation provides their first outpatient appointment, including for ADHD assessments. The key point is that this is not a special favour or discretionary decision by your GP - it is a legal entitlement.

It is worth noting that Right to Choose currently applies in England only. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have separate NHS systems with different referral processes. If you are based outside England, the letter template below will need adapting to reflect your local pathway.

Your GP does not need to agree with your choice of provider or believe you have ADHD for the referral to proceed. Their role is to confirm you are an NHS patient and that the referral request is clinically appropriate - meaning you are presenting with symptoms that warrant assessment.

A strong referral letter covers six key areas. Start with your personal details - full name, date of birth, NHS number and registered GP practice. This ensures the letter can be matched to your medical record without delay.

Next, include a brief description of the symptoms you are experiencing and how long they have been present. You do not need to write a clinical history, but mentioning difficulties with concentration, organisation, impulsivity or emotional regulation gives your GP the clinical context they need. If you have already completed a screening questionnaire such as the ASRS, mention this and offer to share the results.

The third section should name your chosen provider and confirm they are registered with the NHS to accept Right to Choose referrals. Providers such as Psychiatry-UK, Clinical Partners and others are established Right to Choose services. Our guide to ADHD assessment providers covers the main options.

Include a clear reference to Section 75 of the NHS Act 2006 and the NHS Choice Framework. Then add a polite but direct request for the referral to be processed, and finish with your contact details and preferred method of communication.

Open with your name, address and the date, followed by your GP surgery's address. The subject line should read something like "Request for Right to Choose Referral - ADHD Assessment".

The first paragraph introduces yourself as a registered patient and states that you are writing to request a referral under your Right to Choose for an ADHD assessment. Name the provider you have chosen.

The second paragraph briefly describes your symptoms. For example: "I have experienced persistent difficulties with focus, time management, task completion and emotional regulation for as long as I can remember. These difficulties are affecting my work, relationships and daily functioning." Keep this factual and personal to your experience.

The third paragraph references the legal framework: "Under Section 75 of the NHS Act 2006 and the NHS Choice Framework, I understand I have the right to choose my healthcare provider for this assessment. I would be grateful if you could process this referral at your earliest convenience."

Close by thanking them for their time, offering to attend an appointment to discuss the referral if needed, and providing your contact details. Preparing for this conversation using our guide to asking your GP about ADHD can also help.

The most effective letters are specific rather than generic. Instead of writing "I have trouble concentrating," describe what that actually looks like in your life - missed deadlines at work, losing track of conversations, forgetting appointments despite setting reminders, or struggling to start tasks even when the consequences of not doing them are serious.

If you have a family history of ADHD, mention it. If a teacher, partner or colleague has commented on your symptoms, that context is useful. If you have already looked into what to say to your GP about ADHD, use those preparation notes to inform the symptom section of your letter.

Some GPs are unfamiliar with the Right to Choose pathway and may raise objections. The most common is "we don't do Right to Choose referrals at this practice." The response is straightforward: Right to Choose is a patient entitlement under NHS legislation, not a practice policy decision. The GP is legally required to process the referral if the request is clinically appropriate.

Another common response is "I'll refer you to the local NHS service instead." You can politely explain that while you appreciate the offer, you are exercising your legal right to choose your provider, and you would like the referral sent to the provider you have named.

If your GP refuses outright, you have options. Ask them to record their refusal and the reason in your medical notes. You can then contact your local Clinical Commissioning Group (now Integrated Care Board) to escalate. ADHD UK and other patient advocacy organisations also offer guidance on handling refusals.

In most cases, a clear and polite letter that references the legal basis will be processed without difficulty. GPs are busy, and a well-prepared letter that does the groundwork for them is usually welcomed rather than resisted.

Once your GP accepts the referral, they will send it to your chosen provider along with relevant medical notes. The provider will then contact you directly to arrange your assessment. Timescales vary by provider, but Right to Choose assessments are typically significantly faster than the standard NHS pathway. You can compare waiting times and options in our Right to Choose guide.

Keep a copy of your letter and note the date you sent it. If you have not heard anything within two to three weeks, follow up with the GP surgery to confirm the referral was sent. Once the referral is with the provider, they will usually contact you within a few weeks to confirm your place and provide next steps.

This information is for general guidance only and should not be treated as medical or legal advice. If you are unsure about your rights or your GP's response, consider seeking support from ADHD UK or a patient advocacy service.