ADHD & Autism Services
Getting an Assessment
An ADHD or autism assessment can tell you if you or your child has the condition, or whether symptoms are likely to be caused by something else.
There are three main ways to get an autism or ADHD assessment:
Option 1: Local provider NHS services
Steps have been taken to try to reduce the barriers our community can face when trying to request an Adult Autism or ADHD assessment within the NHS. There is a new referral form as part of this change, copies of which are linked below for your information.
ADHD Referral Form | Autism Referral Form
Referrals can be submitted via email to rdash.adhdandautismreferrals@nhs.net or posted to the central address: RDASH Adult Neurodiversity Service, The Neurodiversity Centre, Askern Road, Doncaster, DN5 0JR.
In addition, from February 2026 people wishing to self-refer into either of these services can also do so via the RDaSH website:
Professionals working in schools can also refer a child or young person and, as they will often know them well, they are best placed to do so.
Right now, local NHS waiting times are longer than we would want. That is why some people choose other options (see options 2 and 3 below).
Option 2: NHS Right to Choose Framework
Right To Choose lets people choose an independent provider through the NHS from anywhere in England. Only a GP can make this type of referral. This route may lead to quicker assessments, but there are some careful considerations to be made about if this is a suitable path for each person.
If you would like to be referred to a private service for ADHD diagnosis under the NHS Right to Choose option, then please read the following information carefully before requesting a referral.
Choosing a provider:
Not all private services will be funded by the local ICB under the Right to Choose offer.
To make sure that your private care is funded please check with your chosen provider the following:
- Confirm they are an accredited Provider of Choice with South Yorkshire ICB;
- What their current waiting times are;
- Whether or not a Provider is able to assess for all aspects of Neurodevelopment including ADHD, ASD (or both);
- How the Provider of Choice will keep your GP informed about your care and treatment including medication;
- Options for post-diagnostic care including medication and shared care arrangements.
You must then let us know who your chosen provider is so we can arrange your referral - we cannot choose a provider for you.
List of Right to Choose providers: https://adhduk.co.uk/right-to-choose/right-to-choose-wait-times/
Medication:
If your chosen provider diagnoses you with a neuro-developmental issue and suggests or prescribes medication for that condition please note the following:
Mexborough Health Centre does NOT prescribe ADHD medication which has been recommended via private clinics. This decision is a Practice wide policy and is not variable between our GP’s.
GPs in the UK are not obligated to accept private ADHD diagnoses or prescribing recommendations. Shared Care Agreements (SCA) are only accepted from local NHS ADHD clinics.
This decision has been made on the grounds of safety concerns.
Patients who are referred to a private ADHD clinic even through the NHS Right to Choose route must pay for private prescriptions until transferred to an NHS specialist.
Key Aspects of GP Prescribing After Private Diagnosis:
- No Automatic Transfer: A private diagnosis does not mean the NHS must take over medication management;
- Shared Care Agreement (SCA): This is a formal agreement where the specialist monitors you, and the GP prescribes – this practice does not agree to these with private providers;
- Re-referral Required: To get NHS-funded medication, you need to be referred back into the local NHS adult ADHD service for a new assessment, which may involve long waiting lists (see option 1);
- Refusal Rights: GPs have the right to refuse to prescribe;
- Costs: When the GP practice refuses to accept the shared care, you will need to continue paying for private consultations and prescription.
Find more information about Right to Choose at: adhduk.co.uk/right-to-choose
To be referred via Right to Choose, please print and complete the following form in full and return to Mexborough Health Centre:
Right to Choose Referral
Option 3: Private services
People can pay for private assessments and care from an independent provider. Private services are not linked to local NHS support before, during or after diagnosis. There are some careful considerations to be made about follow-up care, such as ongoing responsibility for the costs of any medication and prescribing (for ADHD).