News and media releases from the Surrey Heartlands area
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Update on Right to Choose services – December 2025
Under the national NHS Choice Framework, people have the right to choose the provider that will carry out their autism or ADHD assessment and treatment via any provider (including independent providers) where they have an NHS and provide equivalent work elsewhere. In some cases, this could mean a shorter wait, but this is not always guaranteed.
To help manage demand and ensure services are delivered fairly, NHS England asked Integrated Care Boards to work with providers to agree what’s called an Indicative Activity Plan.
This is essentially a shared understanding of:
- How many assessments a provider can carry out
- The maximum amount of time people should be waiting for an assessment in their location
- What funding is available to support this work.
In response to the increase in demand we have seen, in 2025 we have invested more in these services and significantly increased capacity across the Right to Choose pathway for both children and young people and adults.
Despite this additional capacity, many providers have already reached the limit of what they can deliver under their plan for this financial year, which runs until 31 March 2026. This means some people will not be seen for a new assessment until after 1 April 2026. In most cases these providers already have a waiting list for their service, and this means people are likely to be waiting slightly longer to be seen for a first assessment.
I have been referred to a Right to Choose provider and I am waiting to be seen, what should I do?
If you have been referred, your referral will be held by the provider and you will be placed on their waiting list – so there isn’t anything you need to do. As soon as the provider has capacity within their plan, they will be in touch to arrange an appointment. Due to current capacity, it is likely people will be contacted from April 2026 onwards. However, if a clinician believes you need to be seen more quickly, there are plans in place to make sure this happens.
Can I choose to change to a different provider?
If you haven’t yet had an assessment, you can ask your GP to refer you to a different provider. However, due to high demand across all services, this may not result in a shorter waiting time. If you stay with your current provider, you will remain on their waiting list and be seen when capacity becomes available. If a clinician believes you need to be seen urgently, there are plans in place to ensure an earlier appointment is made.
How do I know where I am in the waiting list?
We don’t hold this information so you would need to contact your chosen provider to find out about your place within the waiting list and when you are likely to be seen.
Will I be discharged from my current provider if I’ve already had an assessment?
No. You won’t be discharged while you are receiving treatment, and any reviews of medication will continue. If you have any concerns, please contact the organisation that is providing your care.
Support is available while you wait
We know that waiting for an assessment and potential diagnosis can have a real impact and keeping you safe and supported remains our highest priority.
We understand that you or your child may need help now and we are working hard to make sure support is available, even before an assessment and potential formal diagnosis is made
Here is a summary of the support available now:
- If you are worried about your wellbeing or your child, talk to your GP about self-management strategies and other support that may help.
- There are many different sources of support and information including other services such as Talking Therapies.
- The Mindworks Surrey website has information, advice and resources for children and young peoplel which includes options for 1-2-1 and group support for both children and adults specific to ADHD.
- There is a Mindworks Surrey out of hours helpline for parents and carers who are struggling with behaviours or difficulties which could be related to neurodevelopmental need, such as autism or ADHD.
- There is a Mindworks Surrey crisis helpline for people who need help now because they are in mental health or emotional wellbeing crisis.
- Surrey's Local Offer website provides information on education, training and support, for children and young people with special educational, and disability needs, and their families and practitioners.
Private assessments (outside of Right to Choose)
We know some people choose to pay for private assessments (which fall outside of the Right to Choose pathway).
It’s important to be aware that NHS services, including GPs, are not required to prescribe medication recommended by private providers. Where NHS Services are requested to initiate medications or to take over medication reviews and prescribing following assessment and diagnosis by independent/ private providers, these requests must be accompanied by the relevant diagnostic reports that follow NICE guidelines and are NICE compliant.
This requirement relates to diagnostic reports from private providers, Right to Choose providers, and other NHS Trusts seeking to transfer care of the children and young people in their care to SABP Mindworks Neurodevelopmental services. This decision will always be based on clinical judgement and NHS prescribing guidelines, so we would advise checking what services providers offer before you choose (some only offer assessments and some offer ongoing care).
Improving the current pathways
As part of our transformation work, we are working with partners to deliver a range of improvements across many different areas to improve emotional wellbeing and mental health support for children, young people and adults. This includes a major focus on meeting needs earlier by increasing the support available prior to assessment.
We are starting to see improvements, including a reduction in waiting times, but we know people are still waiting longer than we would want them to. Reducing waiting times remains a top priority, and we will continue to keep you updated as we continue to make progress, working with partners.
Please note that we are unable to respond to individual cases or receive personal details. If you have questions about your place on the waiting list, please contact your chosen provider directly.