Transferring to Care ADHD on Right to Choose: Your Questions Answered
We receive many enquiries from people who want to transfer to Care ADHD from other providers, often due to extremely long waiting times. Many patients tell us they have been quoted waiting times of 1–2+ years for assessment and another 1–2+ years for treatment, while others report that they have not been given a timeline at all.
Below, we have outlined common scenarios and what you need to know about transferring to Care ADHD under NHS Right to Choose (RTC).
Scenario 1: I have been diagnosed privately by Care ADHD or another provider - can I come to Care ADHD (for medication) under Right to Choose?
Yes. If you have had private care—either from Care ADHD or another provider—but have not yet accessed NHS-funded ADHD assessment and treatment under Right to Choose, you can still request an RTC referral from your GP.
Under NHS rules, having had private care does not affect your right to NHS treatment. Your GP can refer you to Care ADHD under Right to Choose for a full NHS ADHD care pathway, including assessment and treatment.
For more details on how to do this, please see: Your Right To Choose — CARE ADHD
Scenario 2: I have been diagnosed under Right to Choose by another provider and want to switch to Care ADHD for medications
Unfortunately, Care ADHD cannot accept referrals for treatment-only (titration or medication management) for patients who have already been diagnosed under the NHS Right to Choose (RTC) framework by another provider.
This is in line with NHS England guidance, which does not allow switching providers mid-treatment under RTC.
If you have already been diagnosed by another provider under RTC, you cannot transfer to Care ADHD for NHS-funded treatment alone. In this case, NHS England advises that you must remain on your original waiting list.
However, if you would like to access titration through Care ADHD, you have the option to pay privately for this service. You can find more information about private titration here.
Scenario 3: I am awaiting assessment with another provider under Right to Choose and want to switch to Care ADHD
In this scenario, you can request a re-referral from your GP and if they are willing to make it, Care ADHD will accept your referral. The Right to Choose (RTC) rules do give some flexibility to GPs determine that the original provider is unable to provide your care (this could include an unreasonably long waiting time), and to re-refer you to another provider if you haven't yet started your care.
This will be your GP’s decision and in these instances, the NHS would expect your GP to remove you from the other waiting list in order to be referred to ours.