Autism Assessment Right to Choose Eligibility Checker
Find out whether you're likely eligible to choose your autism assessment provider under NHS England's Right to Choose framework. In under 60 seconds, get clarity and a downloadable GP conversation guide.Based on NHS England's Choice Framework
Free 60 seconds No medical information needed
This eligibility check is based on NHS England's Choice Framework and is not medical advice.
Right to Choose allows patients registered with a GP in England to choose an alternative qualified provider for their first outpatient appointment — including autism assessments. If eligible, this provides an option outside standard local NHS pathways, which often carry long autism assessment waiting times in England.
What happens after you check your eligibility?
If you're likely eligible
- Speak to your GP and request a Right to Choose referral for an autism assessment in England
- Use the downloadable GP conversation guide to prepare for your appointment
- Compare autism assessment providers to find one that suits your needs
If you're unsure
- Discuss your situation with your GP to understand your options
- Clarify whether a referral for an autism assessment would be clinically appropriate
- Ask your GP about local NHS autism waiting times and whether Right to Choose could offer a faster pathway
Important: You can only be on one NHS waiting list for the same condition at a time. If you choose a new provider under Right to Choose, you should be removed from any existing NHS waiting list for that condition. Make sure you are aware of this before switching providers.
Right to Choose is a legal right set out in the NHS Standing Rules Regulations (under the NHS Act 2006, as amended) and reflected in the NHS Constitution. It allows patients in England to choose which organisation provides their first outpatient appointment.
For people seeking an autism assessment, this may allow you to choose an alternative qualified provider rather than waiting within your local NHS pathway.
The NHS Choice Framework sets out how these rights apply. In practice, many patients use Right to Choose to access independent providers that hold NHS contracts for autism assessments.
- Applies to first outpatient appointments
- Requires GP referral
- Must be clinically appropriate
- Does not apply to emergency care. Right to Choose primarily applies to your first outpatient appointment. Ongoing treatment arrangements depend on commissioning and clinical agreement.
To be eligible for Right to Choose in England, you generally must:
- Be registered with a GP in England
- Be seeking a first outpatient appointment led by a consultant or appropriate healthcare professional for a new condition
- Not already be receiving treatment from an NHS provider for the same condition
- Have a GP who agrees that referral is clinically appropriate
For autism, this usually means requesting an initial diagnostic assessment rather than a follow-up appointment.
Note: Your GP does not need to seek prior approval from the local Integrated Care Board (ICB) before making a Right to Choose referral. The clinical appropriateness decision rests with the GP.
Right to Choose does not override clinical decision-making. Your GP must agree that referral is appropriate, but if they do, they should not restrict your choice of provider where the provider holds an appropriate NHS contract. However, be aware that under current Indicative Activity Plans, some providers may have paused new bookings in certain ICB areas due to funding limits, which may affect practical availability.
Yes. Under the NHS England Right to Choose framework, you may choose a qualified provider that meets NHS standards and holds appropriate contracts or agreements.
This includes independent sector providers approved to deliver NHS-funded autism assessments.
Some providers offer different waiting times, locations, and assessment approaches. Your GP must make the referral to your chosen provider.
If your GP declines a referral under Right to Choose, you can:
- Ask them to explain their reasoning
- Provide information from the NHS Choice Framework
- Request clarification on whether the referral is considered clinically appropriate
If you believe your rights have been denied without valid clinical reason, you may:
- Raise a formal complaint through your GP practice
- Contact your local Integrated Care Board (ICB)
- Escalate to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman after local resolution
- Seek support from your local Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
Persistence and clear communication are often helpful, particularly if there is uncertainty about how the framework applies.
FAQs
A GP cannot refuse solely on the basis of provider preference if the referral is clinically appropriate and the chosen provider holds an appropriate NHS contract for your Integrated Care Board (ICB) area. If they believe a referral is not clinically appropriate, they must explain why. You can escalate through NHS England or PALS if you believe your rights are being denied.
Note: Your GP does not need to seek prior approval from the ICB before referring you. If they cite needing ICB permission as a reason for delay, you can direct them to NHS England's patient choice guidance, which confirms no prior commissioner approval is required.
A first outpatient appointment is your initial specialist consultation for a new condition. For autism, this means your first diagnostic assessment — not a follow-up or ongoing treatment appointment.
For mental health services including autism: The service can be led by a consultant or an appropriate mental health professional, not just a consultant. Many autism assessment providers are led by clinical psychologists or specialist practitioners.
Right to Choose is part of the NHS England framework and does not apply in Wales.
Healthcare in Wales is delivered by NHS Wales, which operates under a different system. Patients are generally referred within their local Health Board, and there is no equivalent legal right to choose an alternative NHS-funded provider for a first outpatient appointment in the same way as in England.
If you live in Wales and are seeking an autism assessment, you will usually need to follow your local NHS pathway. In some cases, cross-border referrals may occur, but this is not a guaranteed patient right.
No. Right to Choose is specific to England and does not apply in Scotland.
Healthcare in Scotland is delivered by NHS Scotland. While patients in Scotland have certain rights under Scottish legislation, there is no direct equivalent to England's Right to Choose framework for first outpatient appointments.
If you are seeking an autism assessment in Scotland, referrals are typically managed within your local NHS Board.
No. Northern Ireland does not operate under the NHS England Right to Choose framework.
Healthcare is delivered through Health and Social Care (HSC), which has its own commissioning and referral pathways. There is no general legal right to choose an alternative NHS-funded provider for a first outpatient appointment in the same way as in England.
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Last reviewed: March 2026
This checker provides general guidance based on NHS England's Right to Choose framework. Eligibility depends on clinical appropriateness and GP referral decisions. This tool does not provide medical or legal advice. Commissioning arrangements may vary by Integrated Care Board (ICB).