As part of the NHS Right to Choose framework, if you are referred for an ADHD or Autism assessment you now have the legal right to choose The Owl Centre as your healthcare service provider.
Right To Choose
Right to Choose services we provide
The Owl Centre currently provides the following Right to Choose services:
Online ADHD assessments facilitated by our highly qualified staff for Adults aged 18+.
If you receive an ADHD diagnosis, we will discuss treatment options with you, including the possibility of starting medication. Our team will guide you through the process of initiating medication safely, with regular reviews to monitor progress and adjust treatment as needed.
Online ADHD assessments facilitated by our highly qualified staff for children and young people aged 7 – 17 years old.
If your child receives an ADHD diagnosis, we will discuss treatment options with you, including the possibility of starting medication. Our team will guide you through the process of initiating medication safely, with regular reviews to monitor progress and adjust treatment as needed.
Online ASD assessments facilitated by our dedicated team of experienced multi-disciplinary professionals for Adults aged 18+.
We work closely with local services so that regardless of the outcome of the Autism assessment, we can signpost you to the best available support.
Online Autism assessments facilitated by our dedicated team of experienced multi-disciplinary professionals for children and young people aged 7 – 17 years old.
We work closely with local services so that regardless of the outcome of the Autism assessment, we can signpost you and your child to the best available support.
How does Right to Choose work?
There’s just a few simple steps to follow if you or your child is requiring an ADHD or Autism assessment through Right to Choose via The Owl Centre.
Step 1 - Download Screening Tool
To start the Right to Choose process, the patient firstly downloads the relevant Screening Tool, completes it and gets it ready to send to their GP. All patients will need to ensure that they meet our Suitability Criteria, which you can read below.
Step 2 - Referral Request Letter
Once the patient has completed the correct Screening Tool, they will need to complete a Referral Request Letter. Each patient will need to provide copies of these to their GP, who will discuss your referral with them.
Step 3 - GP Referral
If the patient’s GP thinks a referral is necessary, they will complete and send a referral form to The Owl Centre with the patient’s Screening Tool and a copy of the patient’s medical summary care record.
Step 4 - Referral Confirmation
The Owl Centre will send the patient’s GP an email to confirm that we have received the referral.
Step 5 - Referral Review
Once we have received your referral, we will ask each patient to provide some supplementary information by email. Once received, our clinical team will review each referral and if accepted, the patient will be asked to fill out our pre-assessment forms.
Step 6 - Ready to go
When the patient has completed their pre-assessment forms, they will be added to our assessment wait list. The Owl Centre will get in touch with each patient when we are ready to schedule your assessment appointment.
Suitability Criteria for Online Assessments
The Owl Centre provides high-quality online assessments that are convenient and accessible for many individuals. However, online assessments may not be suitable for everyone. If any of the following apply to you, we advise that an in-person assessment with an alternative healthcare provider would be more appropriate.
An online neurodevelopmental (Autism/ADHD) assessment is not suitable if:
- You are under the age of 18.
- You are non-verbal and/or selectively mute.
- You are unable to communicate at a conversational level in English.
- You have a significant intellectual disability (IQ below 70) or severe developmental delay.
- You have a significant visual or hearing impairment that prevents you from engaging with online ADHD assessments.
- You are currently experiencing psychosis or have had a psychotic episode within the past six months.
- You pose a current risk to yourself or others, have made a suicide plan or attempt within the past six months, and/or are actively self-harming.
- You are awaiting treatment or are currently receiving care for an active eating disorder. o If you have been discharged from a specialist eating disorder service, you must wait at least six months before an assessment can take place.
- Your drug or alcohol use is significantly impacting your daily life, or you are currently receiving treatment for substance addiction.
- You have experienced a traumatic or acquired brain injury, have undergone brain surgery/neurosurgery, or have a neurological condition that affects cognitive function.
- You have previously been assessed for autism or ADHD by the NHS and are seeking a second opinion.
– If you have had a private assessment before, we may be able to offer a review or full reassessment. - You are currently serving a prison sentence, are on probation, or are on temporary release.
- You are undergoing a safeguarding investigation, have a child protection plan in place, or are involved in an ongoing police or criminal investigation.
– Assessments can only proceed once these matters have been resolved. - You are detained in a hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983 or are under a Community Treatment Order.
- You are a serving member of the armed forces.
- You do not have access to a suitable device for the assessment – a laptop or desktop computer with a microphone and web camera is required. Mobile phones cannot be used for any assessments.
- You do not have access to a private and reliable internet connection for the assessment.
- You are unwilling to conduct the assessment with your camera turned on for the full duration.
- You are unwilling to confirm your identity via an online video call.
- You are unwilling to provide the contact details of your UK-based NHS GP.
The Owl Centre provides high-quality online assessments that are convenient and accessible for many individuals. However, online assessments may not be suitable for everyone. If any of the following apply to you, we advise that an in-person assessment with an alternative healthcare provider would be more appropriate.
An online neurodevelopmental (Autism/ADHD) assessment is not suitable for your child or young person if:
- Your child is under the age of 7.
- Your child is non-verbal and/or selectively mute.
- Your child is unable to communicate at a conversational level in English.
- Your child has a significant intellectual disability (IQ below 70) or severe developmental delay.
- Your child has a significant visual or hearing impairment that prevents them from engaging with online assessments.
- Your child is currently experiencing psychosis or has had a psychotic episode within the past six months.
- They pose a current risk to themselves or others, have made a suicide plan or attempt within the past six months, and/or are actively self-harming.
- Your child is awaiting treatment or are currently receiving care for an active eating disorder. o If your child has been discharged from a specialist eating disorder service, you must wait at least six months before an assessment can take place.
- Your child’s drug or alcohol use is significantly impacting their daily life, or they are currently receiving treatment for substance addiction.
- Your child has experienced a traumatic or acquired brain injury, has undergone brain surgery/neurosurgery, or has a neurological condition that affects cognitive function.
- Your child has previously been assessed for autism or ADHD by the NHS and is seeking a second opinion.
– If they have had a private assessment before, we may be able to offer a review or full reassessment. - Your child is currently serving a prison sentence, is on probation, or is on temporary release.
- Your child is undergoing a safeguarding investigation, has a child protection plan in place, or is involved in an ongoing police or criminal investigation.
– Assessments can only proceed once these matters have been resolved. - Your child has been detained in a hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983 or is under a Community Treatment Order.
- You do not have access to a suitable device for the assessment – a laptop or desktop computer with a microphone and web camera is required. Mobile phones cannot be used for any assessments.
- You do not have access to a private and reliable internet connection for the assessment.
- Your child is unwilling to conduct the assessment with their camera turned on for the full duration.
- Your child is unwilling to confirm your identity via an online video call.
- You are unwilling to provide the contact details of your UK-based NHS GP.
What is NHS Right to Choose?
If you are based in England and have been referred by a GP for an Adult ADHD assessment, you now have a legal right to choose which service you go to. This is known as Right to Choose.
Under the framework, you can choose your healthcare provider which will allow the NHS to better manage waiting lists, while you will be able to access the neurodiversity support that you need faster.
Why choose The Owl Centre?
- Our team includes over 40 highly qualified NMC and HCPC-registered staff, ensuring you receive expert care from professionals you can trust.
- Our fully online system makes the process simple and accessible, with dedicated admin support to guide you every step of the way.
- We strictly adhere to NICE guidelines, ensuring evidence-based and high-quality assessments and treatments.
- Our services are designed to prioritise your convenience while maintaining the highest standards of clinical care.
Right to Choose FAQ’s
What is a Right to Choose (RTC) ADHD assessment?
The RTC pathway allows you to choose an NHS-approved provider, like us, for your ADHD assessment and treatment. It gives you the flexibility to bypass local NHS waiting lists and access care more quickly, all still funded by the NHS.
Am I eligible for the RTC ADHD assessment service?
To be eligible, you must be registered with a GP in England, aged 18 or over, and your GP must agree to refer you. You must not already be on another ADHD waiting list or receiving ADHD treatment elsewhere. We’re happy to help guide you through the process. Please note that some patients are not suitable for online assessments (see suitability criteria).
How do I get referred to your RTC service?
Speak to your GP and request a referral to our service under the Right to Choose pathway. We provide a template letter to make this process as easy as possible for you and your GP.
Is there a cost for the assessment or treatment?
No, the assessment and medication initiation are fully funded by the NHS under the RTC scheme. There are no costs to you for the assessment, diagnosis, or initial treatment.
What does the ADHD assessment involve?
Our assessment includes an in-depth clinical interview with a qualified specialist, questionnaires to gather further information, and if necessary, additional collateral information (such as from family members or past records). We take a thorough, person-centred approach to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
What happens if I’m diagnosed with ADHD?
If you receive an ADHD diagnosis, we will discuss treatment options with you, including the possibility of starting medication. Our team will guide you through the process of initiating medication safely, with regular reviews to monitor progress and adjust treatment as needed.
Can you prescribe ADHD medication?
Yes, we have a dedicated team of experienced non-medical prescribers who can initiate and manage ADHD medication under the NHS. Once your medication is stabilised, we will provide a clear plan for your GP to continue your prescription. This is known as a shared care agreement.
How long does it take to get an appointment after my GP refers me?
We aim to offer assessment appointments within a few weeks of receiving your referral, much faster than many standard NHS waiting lists. You will receive regular updates on your place in the queue.
Do I need to prepare anything before the assessment?
It’s helpful to think about your experiences both in childhood and adulthood. We’ll also send you some questionnaires to complete in advance, and if possible, gather information from someone who knew you as a child (though this isn’t essential).
What if I already have a mental health diagnosis? Can I still be assessed?
Absolutely. Many people with ADHD also experience other mental health conditions. Our team is experienced in recognising and differentiating ADHD alongside other diagnoses, ensuring a comprehensive and accurate assessment.
Will my GP continue prescribing my ADHD medication after the assessment?
Once we’ve safely stabilised your medication, we’ll provide your GP with a detailed care plan and request that they take over prescribing. Most GPs are happy to continue prescriptions, but we’ll support you and your GP with all necessary documentation.
What if my GP won’t accept a shared care agreement?
While most GPs are happy to continue prescribing once you’re stabilised, occasionally a GP may be unable to do so. Don’t worry — we can continue to provide your ADHD medication directly through our service, ensuring continuity of care. We’ll discuss all options with you clearly.
Can I choose not to take medication if I’m diagnosed with ADHD?
Yes, the choice is entirely yours. We’ll discuss all treatment options, including non-medication strategies like coaching or lifestyle adjustments, to help you decide what works best for you.
Is your service confidential?
Yes, your privacy is very important to us. All information shared during your assessment and treatment is handled confidentially and in line with NHS and data protection guidelines.
Can I access ADHD coaching or support after diagnosis?
Yes, we offer coaching services for adults diagnosed with ADHD. Coaching can help you develop practical strategies to manage symptoms and achieve your goals alongside or instead of medication.
I’ve previously been assessed but didn’t receive a diagnosis. Can I be reassessed?
Yes, you can request a reassessment, especially if your previous assessment didn’t feel thorough or if your circumstances have changed. We’ll review your history carefully and conduct a fresh, independent assessment.
