Use your NHS Right to Choose for ADHD & Autism assessments

If you’re registered with a GP in England and referred for an ADHD or Autism assessment, you may be able to choose Masters Advanced Clinical Care (MACC) as your assessment provider under the NHS Right to Choose scheme.

What is NHS Right to Choose?

NHS Right to Choose is a scheme that gives many patients in England the legal right to choose which provider carries out their first outpatient appointment for certain services, including ADHD and Autism assessments in eligible cases.

If you meet the criteria and your GP agrees to refer, you can ask to be referred to MACC for your ADHD or Autism assessments, instead of waiting to be seen by your local service.

Right to Choose applies to NHS-funded care and does not affect your entitlement to local NHS services.

Which MACC services are available via Right to Choose?

At present, our Right to Choose pathway is for:

Autism (ASD) assessments and broader support packages may not be available via Right to Choose in all areas.

We will confirm the options that apply to you when you contact us.

Are you eligible?

You may be able to use Right to Choose for an ADHD or Autism assessment with MACC if:

Some situations are excluded from Right to Choose (for example, certain urgent or specialist pathways, or if you are not eligible for NHS care). If you are unsure, we can guide you and your GP using our referral information.

How to ask your GP for a Right to Choose referral

This process outlines the steps for seeking an ADHD or Autism assessment using your NHS Right to Choose.

Step 1 – Read our information sheet

Download our GP information sheet and Right to Choose letter template. This explains who MACC is, what our ADHD pathway includes and how your GP can refer.

Link: Download GP information sheet
Link: Download GP letter template

Step 2 – Book an appointment with your GP

Book a routine appointment with your GP to discuss your concerns about ADHD or Autism. Take your letter template and any relevant information (for example, school reports, existing assessments or notes about your difficulties).

Step 3 – Explain your request

During the appointment, you can explain that:

You would like to be referred for an ADHD assessment
You wish to use your NHS Right to Choose
You would like your referral to go to Masters Advanced Clinical Care (MACC) as your preferred provider

Your GP can then review the information and decide whether an ADHD assessment and Right to Choose referral are appropriate.

Step 4 – Your GP sends the referral

If your GP agrees, they send a referral to MACC with the information we need to book you into our ADHD pathway. We will confirm receipt and contact you using the details provided.

Step 5 – We guide you through the journey

Once the referral is accepted, your journey follows the same clear steps as our other patients:

Pre-assessment questionnaires
Online clinical assessment
Diagnosis and written report
Treatment, titration and follow-up where appropriate

You remain an NHS patient, and we work closely with your GP throughout.

What happens after your assessment?

For many people, the next steps include:

If ADHD or Autism is diagnosed:
- Discussion of treatment options, including medication if appropriate
- A structured titration and monitoring plan
- Support with reasonable adjustments at work, university or school
If ADHD or Autism is not diagnosed:
- Clear explanation of the assessment findings
- Suggestions for alternative supports or next steps

When ADHD medication is stable, we will usually approach your GP to explore a Shared Care arrangement, so that ongoing prescribing and monitoring can be managed locally.

Ready to explore Right to Choose?

If you think you may be eligible for a Right to Choose ADHD assessment with MACC, the simplest way to start is to complete our online enquiry form. We will explain the next steps and provide information you can share with your GP.

Frequently asked questions

Will using Right to Choose affect my place on local waiting lists?

Right to Choose provides an alternative provider for your ADHD assessment. In most cases, it does not remove your ability to access local services for other needs, but your GP can advise on local arrangements.

Is there a cost to me?

Right to Choose is an NHS-funded route. Where you are eligible, there is no charge to you for the ADHD assessment and agreed NHS-funded elements of your care. Private options are separate and clearly identified.

Can my GP refuse to refer me?

Your GP is responsible for deciding whether an ADHD assessment is clinically appropriate and whether to refer under Right to Choose. If they do not feel an ADHD assessment is indicated, they should explain why and discuss alternative options.

Can I use Right to Choose for Autism assessments?

MACC delivers assessment services for ADHD and autism. MACC will commence provision of autism assessments via the NHS Right to Choose pathway, alongside existing access routes. Information and guidance will be provided to support individuals in identifying the most appropriate referral pathway.