NHS Right to Choose Assessments
Harley Street Mental Health is commissioned by the NHS to provide specialist neurodevelopmental assessments for adults in specific areas of England.
At present, we provide:
- Adult Autism Assessments for people registered with a West Yorkshire ICB GP
- Adult ADHD Assessments (including treatment and review) for people registered with a Norfolk & Waveney ICB GP
- Right to Choose Adult Autism Assessments, and Adult ADHD Assessments (including treatment and Review for patients registered with a GP in England)
These assessments are NHS-funded, so there is no cost to you, but you must be referred by your GP.
Right to Choose Patients – Adult ADHD
This NHS service is for:
Adults aged 18 or over
Living in England, and are registered with a GP Practice in England
Wishing to Exercise their Right to Choose HSMH for a Virtual ADHD Assessment and Management
How to be referred (step-by-step)
01.
Make an Appointment with your GP
Start by speaking to your GP about the symptoms you’re experiencing.
If your GP feels that ADHD may be a possibility and that a specialist assessment is needed, you have the right under NHS Right to Choose to ask for a referral to Harley Street Mental Health.
Please note that Right to Choose referrals must be made by your GP, as we’re unable to accept self-referrals through this route.
02.
Complete the following Documents and take to your GP Appointment
It may help to bring a short covering letter for your GP, along with a completed ASRS (Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale), when you discuss your concerns. This can support your GP in deciding whether your symptoms may be consistent with ADHD.
- You can download and complete the ASRS form here
- You can use the template letter provided here. The template letter also includes the full referral document that your GP will need to complete so please do ensure they receive this
- If you are using your own template letter, please ensure your GP completes the referral document here and sends across to our Right to Choose email which is hsmh.adhd.rtc@nhs.net
Please remember to add your personal details, including your email address and contact number, and address the letter to your GP.
03.
Ask your GP to refer to us
Please ensure that your GP completes the referral documentation here, and attaches a letter containing
- Personal Details (including email address)
- A summary of your care
- A completed ASRS questionnaire
- The need for an Adult ADHD assessment under Right to Choose
Stating that the referral is to Harley Street Mental Health, 128 City Road, London, United Kingdom, EC1V 2NX
Right to Choose Patients – Adult Autism
This NHS service is for:
Adults aged 18 or over
Living in England, and are registered with a GP Practice in England
Wishing to Exercise their Right to Choose with HSMH for a Virtual Adult Autism Assessment
How to be referred (step-by-step)
01.
Make an Appointment with your GP
Start by speaking to your GP about the symptoms you’re experiencing.
If your GP feels that Autism may be a possibility and that a specialist assessment is needed, you have the right under NHS Right to Choose to ask for a referral to Harley Street Mental Health.
Please note that Right to Choose referrals must be made by your GP, as we’re unable to accept self-referrals through this route.
02.
Complete the following Documents and take to your GP Appointment
It may help to bring a short covering letter for your GP, along with a completed AQ-10 (Autism Quotient), when you discuss your concerns. This can support your GP in deciding whether your symptoms may be consistent with Autism.
- You can download and complete the AQ-10 form here
- You can use the template letter provided here. The template letter also includes the full referral document that your GP will need to complete so please do ensure they receive this
- If you are using your own template letter, please ensure your GP completes the referral document here and sends across to our Adult Autism Right to Choose email which is hsmh.adult.autism.rtc@nhs.net
Please remember to add your personal details, including your email address and contact number, and address the letter to your GP.
03.
Ask your GP to refer to us
Please ensure that your GP completes the referral documentation here, and attaches a letter containing
- Personal Details (including email address)
- A summary of your care
- A completed AQ10 questionnaire
- The need for an Adult Autism assessment under Right to Choose
- Stating that the referral is to Harley Street Mental Health, 128 City Road, London, United Kingdom, EC1V 2NX
Adult ADHD Assessments – Norfolk & Waveny ICB
This NHS service is for:
Adults aged 18 or over
Registered with a GP in the Norfolk & Waveney ICB area.
Who need an adult ADHD assessment, diagnosis and (where appropriate) treatment and ongoing review.
How to be referred (step-by-step)
01.
Speak to your GP
Book an appointment with your GP and explain your difficulties and why you are seeking an ADHD assessment. You can tell them that Harley Street Mental Health is an approved provider under the Norfolk & Waveney Adult ADHD Framework.
02.
Your GP completes the ADHD referral form
Your GP will need to complete the Adult ADHD Framework referral document for Harley Street Mental Health and attach relevant information (for example, medication history, physical health conditions, and any previous mental health reports).
03.
GP sends the referral to us
Your GP should email the completed referral form and supporting information to:
hsmh.nwadhdreferrals@nhs.net – Click here to download the form
(For NHS staff: referrals may also be submitted via the agreed NHS electronic referral route; please attach the Harley Street Mental Health referral template wherever possible.)
04.
Acknowledgement and Initial Contact
Once we receive your your GP referral:
- We aim to acknowledge the referral within one working day
- Confirm we have your referral
- Explain the ADHD assessment pathway
- Discuss your preferences and any reasonable adjustments you may need (for example format of information, sensory needs, preferred times of day)
05.
Pre-assessment forms
You will then be sent a pre-assessment pack, which may include:
These are normally completed electronically, but we can provide alternative formats or support by phone or video if needed.
06.
Your ADHD Assessment (remote)
You will then be sent a pre-assessment pack, which may include:
These are normally completed electronically, but we can provide alternative formats or support by phone or video if needed.
07.
Diagnosis, report and treatment planning
After the assessment:
If medication is appropriate and you wish to proceed, we will discuss:
08.
Titration, prescribing and follow-up
If you start medication, we will:
If your GP cannot take over prescribing under shared care, Harley Street Mental Health will continue to provide ongoing prescribing and annual reviews in line with the Framework requirements.
If you miss appointments, we will make reasonable efforts to contact you (for example by phone and letter/email) before considering discharge, and will always inform your GP.
Adult Autism Assessments – West Yorkshire ICB
This NHS service is for:
Adults aged 18 or over
Registered with a GP in the West Yorkshire ICB area (Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Kirklees, Calderdale)
Who need an adult autism assessment only
If you also need an ADHD assessment, you will not be eligible for this particular autism service. Your GP will need to consider other local ADHD referral options.
How to be referred (step-by-step)
01.
Speak to your GP
Book an appointment with your GP and explain your concerns about possible autism. You can mention that Harley Street Mental Health is commissioned by West Yorkshire ICB to provide adult autism assessments.
02.
Your GP completes the Autism referral form
Your GP will need to complete a West Yorkshire Adult Autism Assessment referral form for Harley Street Mental Health and attach any relevant letters or reports (for example from mental health services or previous assessments).
03.
GP sends the referral to us
Your GP should email the completed referral form and supporting information to:
hsmh.wyicb.adult.autism.referrals@nhs.net – Click here to download the form
04.
Early contact and reasonable adjustments
Once your referral has been accepted onto the pathway, we aim to contact you within one working day to:
- Confirm we have received your referral
- Check your preferred way to communicate (email, phone, text, letter)
- Ask about any reasonable adjustments you may need (for example, longer appointments, specific times of day, easy-read information, presence of a supporter, interpreter, or quiet waiting space)
- Discuss whether you would prefer in-person assessment at our Leeds clinic or online via secure video
All agreed adjustments are recorded so the clinical team can plan around your needs.
05.
Pre-assessment questionnaires
You will then receive a pre-assessment pack, which may include:
- Consent and capacity forms
- A background / developmental questionnaire
- Standard autism questionnaires and other psychometric measures
These can usually be completed online, on paper, or with support (for example via phone or video). If any parts are difficult, we will help you work through them. These questionnaires will take some time to complete, and we would encourage you to be as detailed as possible in your responses. Some questionnaires will require input from friends and family members that can comment on your symptoms
06.
Your assessment appointment
Your assessment will usually involve:
- A detailed conversation about your current experiences (social communication, sensory sensitivities, routines, interests, mental health, and daily living)
- A developmental history, ideally involving someone who knew you in childhood (such as a parent, carer or older relative), if available
- Exploration of strengths as well as challenges, and of any co-occurring mental health difficulties
We generally recommend in-person assessment in Leeds, as this allows us to observe social communication and sensory responses more easily, but remote assessment is also available where this better meets your needs or preferences.
07.
Your report and feedback
After your assessment:
- A detailed written report is prepared, summarising the assessment, stating whether you meet criteria for autism, and outlining practical recommendations and adjustments
- The report is usually shared securely with you and your GP within around 7–10 working days of the final assessment appointment
Service Pathway
- You will be offered a feedback appointment to go through the outcome, ask questions and think together about next steps
08.
Post-diagnostic support and signposting
In feedback we will:
- Discuss how the findings relate to your lived experience and strengths
- Explore practical strategies (sensory and environmental adjustments, pacing, communication strategies)
- Signpost you to relevant supports in your local area (for example autism charities, peer support groups, employment support, Access to Work, talking therapies, or advice agencies)
Service Pathway
If your assessment indicates you may need further input from other services (for example community mental health teams, learning disability services, social care or ADHD services), and you agree, we will prepare a focused clinical handover for your GP or the receiving service.
If you disengage or miss appointments, a senior clinician will review your case rather than you being automatically discharged. You and your GP can be re-referred in future if circumstances change.
Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs)
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, our team is here to help. Contact us for personalized guidance.
In many cases, referral into our service may still be possible to reduce waiting times, but the decision rests with your GP and ICB. We accept referrals where permitted.
• You receive a detailed report and feedback appointment
• We discuss strengths, needs and practical adjustments
• Signposting to relevant autism support services is provided
After ADHD diagnosis:
• You receive a full written report
• If medication is appropriate, titration and monitoring are provided
• Shared care with your GP is arranged where possible, or we continue prescribing if not
If you miss an appointment without contacting us, we will try to reach you before considering discharge.
A senior clinician reviews any decision to close your care episode, and your GP will be informed.
• Acknowledge referrals within 1 working day
• Make initial contact within ~10 working days (ADHD) or sooner (autism)
• Complete assessment and report within ~40 working days where capacity allows
We will inform you and your GP if waiting times change.
If ADHD appears to be a concern, we will explain this and advise your GP on appropriate local referral options.
• Your questionnaires and observer reports are reviewed
• Attention, organisation, impulsivity and activity levels are explored
• Full developmental and psychiatric history is taken
• Co-existing conditions and risks are assessed
A diagnostic decision is made and next steps explained.
• Explore your current strengths and challenges
• Take a detailed developmental history
• Discuss social communication, routines, sensory experiences
• Use structured tools/questionnaires
A multidisciplinary decision is made, followed by personalised recommendations.
• Usually in person at our Leeds clinic
• Remote appointments available if appropriate
Norfolk & Waveney Adult ADHD:
• Remote (online) only, in line with the ADHD Framework.
We will discuss preferences and adjustments during initial contact.
Referral routes:
• West Yorkshire autism: hsmh.wyicb.adult.autism.referrals@nhs.net
• Norfolk & Waveney ADHD: hsmh.nwadhdreferrals@nhs.net or the agreed electronic referral route.