Under NHS rules, you can request your GP to refer you to any provider in England that delivers NHS-funded services. This allows you to select the ADHD care provider you feel most comfortable with. Further details about this right, along with GP referral forms, are available below.
At England ADHD, we aim to start your journey within weeks, not years. Unlike many other NHS-approved ADHD providers with long waiting lists, our average wait is much shorter.
As of 31 July 2025, for patients referred in the past 90 days, the typical time from referral to assessment was around 62 days (approximately nine weeks). This is an average — some patients are seen earlier, while others may wait a little longer depending on demand, available appointment slots, and how quickly paperwork is processed.
Once your referral has been received, our team reviews the information and ensures everything is complete. If anything is missing, we will get in touch with your GP promptly to avoid unnecessary delays. When all documents are in place, we’ll confirm your referral and contact you with the next steps, including information about pre-assessment questionnaires and how to prepare for your appointment.
We also provide access to our “waiting well” resources, so you can begin receiving support while waiting for your formal assessment. This means you don’t need to feel “stuck” during the wait — you can start working on strategies and receive guidance from day one.
At the moment, we’re unable to send automated notifications directly to patients. However, we do confirm receipt with your GP. This ensures that your referral has safely reached us and is logged into our system.
Most patients hear from us within about a month of their GP sending the referral — and often even sooner. If you haven’t heard back within that timeframe, you can always contact your GP to double-check that everything has been sent correctly.
We understand how stressful waiting can feel, so please know that we’re doing everything possible to process referrals quickly and keep waiting times short. Our admin and clinical teams are working continuously to manage the high demand while ensuring each patient receives careful, thorough attention.
If you ever feel uncertain or worried about the status of your referral, our support team is here to answer questions, explain the process, and give you peace of mind that your journey with England ADHD is moving forward.
You can ask your GP to refer you to any provider in England that offers NHS-funded services. This means you have the freedom to select the ADHD specialist that’s the best fit for you, no matter where they are based in the country.
For ADHD, this option is especially valuable. Long waits for local services can discourage people from seeking help, but with Right to Choose you can access care faster — including video consultations with specialists located anywhere in England.
The Right to Choose in mental health has only been available since 2018, so not everyone — including some GPs and clinicians — is familiar with it. That’s why we aim to make the process as straightforward as possible, offering clear guidance and ready-to-use referral forms.
