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Every Right to Choose Provider. Compared Side by Side.

Not all providers are the same. Compare wait times, assessment style, medication support, and what real users say.

Quick answer: The main Right to Choose providers for ADHD in 2026 are Psychiatry-UK, Clinical Partners, ADHD 360, and the National Waiting Times Clinic. All are NHS-funded. Wait times range from 8 to 20 weeks depending on provider and location.

Right to Choose Providers Compared

Psychiatry-UK

Typical wait: 8 - 12 weeks
Assessment format Online (video call)
Medication support Yes - initiates and manages
Coverage Most of England
Adult ADHD Yes

The largest Right to Choose provider in England. Psychiatry-UK has an established relationship with the NHS and processes a high volume of referrals. Assessments are conducted entirely online via video call, making them accessible regardless of location.

Strengths
  • Shortest wait times
  • Strong medication support
  • Well-known to GPs
  • Fully online - no travel
Considerations
  • Online only - no face-to-face
  • High volume can feel impersonal
  • Some reports of admin delays

Clinical Partners

Typical wait: 10 - 16 weeks
Assessment format Online and face-to-face
Medication support Yes - via shared care
Coverage Nationwide network
Adult ADHD Yes

Clinical Partners operates a nationwide network of clinicians and offers both online and in-person assessments. They have a strong reputation for thorough clinical work and offer a range of mental health services beyond ADHD.

Strengths
  • Face-to-face option available
  • Nationwide coverage
  • Thorough assessments
  • Broad clinical expertise
Considerations
  • Longer wait than Psychiatry-UK
  • Face-to-face depends on location
  • Less ADHD-specialist focus

ADHD 360

Typical wait: 12 - 16 weeks
Assessment format Online (video call)
Medication support Yes - strong post-diagnosis care
Coverage England (check local availability)
Adult ADHD Yes

ADHD 360 is a specialist ADHD service with a strong focus on post-diagnosis support. They offer medication management, coaching, and ongoing care packages. Their ADHD-specific expertise means clinicians are highly experienced in adult ADHD presentations.

Strengths
  • ADHD specialist service
  • Strong post-diagnosis support
  • Good medication management
  • Coaching available
Considerations
  • Not available in all areas
  • Longer wait times
  • Online only

National Waiting Times Clinic

Typical wait: Variable (check directly)
Assessment format Online and face-to-face
Medication support Yes - via shared care
Coverage Parts of England
Adult ADHD Yes

The National Waiting Times Clinic was established specifically to address long NHS waiting times for mental health services, including ADHD. Availability varies by region and referral pathways may differ from other providers.

Strengths
  • Built to reduce NHS backlogs
  • Both online and in-person
  • NHS-focused service
Considerations
  • Not available everywhere
  • Wait times vary significantly
  • Less established than others

Provider Comparison at a Glance

Provider Wait Cost Format Medication
Psychiatry-UK 8 - 12 weeks Free (NHS) Online Yes
Clinical Partners 10 - 16 weeks Free (NHS) Online + face-to-face Yes
ADHD 360 12 - 16 weeks Free (NHS) Online Yes
National Waiting Times Clinic Variable Free (NHS) Online + face-to-face Yes

Wait times are approximate and change regularly. Always check directly with the provider for the most current estimate.

How to Choose the Right Provider

All four providers deliver NHS-funded ADHD assessments. The right one for you depends on a few practical factors.

Wait time

If speed matters most, Psychiatry-UK typically has the shortest wait. But check current times directly, as they change month to month.

Assessment format

If you prefer a face-to-face assessment, Clinical Partners or the National Waiting Times Clinic may be a better fit. If you are comfortable with video calls, Psychiatry-UK and ADHD 360 work entirely online.

Post-diagnosis support

If ongoing support matters to you, ADHD 360 has a strong reputation for post-diagnosis care, including coaching and medication management. Others focus primarily on the assessment and initial prescribing.

Your location

Not all providers accept referrals from every area. Check that your chosen provider covers your GP's region before requesting the referral.

GP familiarity

Some GPs are more familiar with Psychiatry-UK because of its size and NHS profile. If your GP is resistant to Right to Choose, naming a provider they have heard of can reduce friction.

What Happens After You Choose a Provider

Once you have decided on a provider, the process follows a clear path.

  1. Tell your GP which provider you want and ask them to send a Right to Choose referral.
  2. Your GP sends the referral to the provider. This is an NHS referral, not a private one.
  3. The provider contacts you (usually by email) to confirm receipt and outline next steps.
  4. You may need to complete screening questionnaires or provide additional information.
  5. The provider books your assessment appointment.
  6. You attend the assessment (online or in person, depending on the provider).
  7. After the assessment, the provider sends their findings to you and your GP.
  8. If diagnosed, the provider discusses medication options and sets up shared care with your GP.

The entire process from referral to assessment typically takes 8 to 20 weeks, depending on the provider and current demand.

Can You Switch Providers?

Yes. If you have already been referred to one provider but want to switch to another, you can ask your GP to redirect the referral. This is your legal right under the NHS Act 2006.

Common reasons people switch providers include longer than expected wait times with the original provider, a change in preference from online to face-to-face (or the other way around), or learning that another provider offers better post-diagnosis support.

To switch, contact your GP and ask them to send a new referral to your preferred provider. There may be a short delay while the paperwork is processed, but you will not lose your place in the system.

Important

If you switch providers, your original referral may be cancelled. Make sure the new referral is sent before withdrawing from the first provider, so there is no gap in the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Right to Choose provider is the fastest?

Psychiatry-UK typically has the shortest wait times at 8 to 12 weeks. However, wait times change frequently. Check directly with each provider for the most current estimate.

Can my GP refuse to refer me to a specific provider?

Your GP cannot refuse a valid Right to Choose referral. If they do, you can escalate to the practice manager, your local ICB, or NHS England. The NHS Act 2006 protects your right to choose.

Do all providers prescribe medication after diagnosis?

Most Right to Choose providers can initiate medication if you are diagnosed with ADHD. They will then set up a shared care agreement with your GP for ongoing prescriptions. Check with your chosen provider before referral.

Are Right to Choose providers available across all of England?

Psychiatry-UK and Clinical Partners accept referrals from most areas in England. ADHD 360 and the National Waiting Times Clinic may have regional restrictions. Check coverage before requesting a referral.

Can I switch providers after my referral has been sent?

Yes. You can ask your GP to redirect the referral to a different provider. There may be a short delay while the paperwork is updated, but there is no rule preventing you from switching.

Need Help Choosing a Provider?

My ADHD Path has a detailed provider comparison tool that shows current wait times, user reviews, and what to expect from each service. Make an informed choice before you speak to your GP.

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