Proudly providing NHS servicesNHS Right to Choose autism referrals
Help families get support faster with an NHS referral to Paloma Health. We accept referrals from any NHS GP in England, and we notify parents as soon as the referral reaches us.
This page explains who can and cannot be referred. Please review it carefully before making a referral to ensure your patient is eligible.
Any NHS GP
We accept referrals from any NHS GP practice in England for our Right to Choose service.
From age 2
Autism assessments from a child's 2nd (dependant on pathway), ADHD from their 8th.
3 pathways
Fully remote, hybrid in Exeter, or hybrid in Norwich.
INCLUSION CRITERIA
Choosing a pathway
When making a referral, you are choosing which autism assessment pathway that child is referred into. Your options are:
Fully REMOTE
Fully remote autism assessment pathway
All three appointments are done remotely via secure video calling. We can only accept children to this pathway who are:
Aged between their 8th and 18th birthdays
Have no diagnosed or suspected learning disabilities, speech and language conditions or selective mutism (these children must be referred to one of our hybrid pathways)
hybrid exeter
Hybrid autism assessment pathway in Exeter
Two appointments are conducted remotely, with the child observation appointment held in person in Exeter. We can only accept children to this pathway who are:
Aged between their 5th and 18th birthday
Aged between their 2nd and 5th birthday, and have seen a community paediatrician who has recommended an autism assessment
Willing to travel to Exeter, for one in-person child observation appointment
hybrid norwich
Hybrid autism assessment pathway in Norwich
Two appointments are remote, with one child observation appointment in person in Norwich. We can only accept children to this pathway who are:
Aged between their 6th and 18th birthdays
Willing to travel to Norwich, for one in-person child observation appointment
We offer autism assessments for children from their 2nd birthday, and ADHD assessment from their 8th birthday. If you would like your patient referred for both conditions, we kindly ask you to provide relevant context for each condition in your referral.
Quick reference guide
Which pathway, by age and needs
Select your patient's age band to see the pathways open to them.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA
Children we cannot accept
We appreciate your review of the criteria, as we want to avoid any potential disappointment for families if they are ineligible.
Prior diagnoses and age limits
Previous diagnoses and re-assessments. We cannot accept referrals for children with a previous autism diagnosis unless there are explicit clinical concerns regarding the quality or validity of the original NHS, private, or overseas assessment. For children whose previous assessment occurred within the last 2 years, we will review the clinical appropriateness of a re-assessment and will only accept the referral if there is sufficient new information to warrant it.
Age restrictions. Children who are under 2 years of age, or who have reached their 18th birthday or older.
Specific criteria for ages 2–4. We cannot accept any child aged 2–4 years old who has not seen a community paediatrician who recommended an autism assessment, or any child aged 2–4 whose overall cognitive development is below the level expected of a typical 18-month-old child (e.g., ability to walk, pick up objects with a pincer grip, press a button to operate a cause-and-effect toy, or look for a hidden toy they saw being moved).
Medical and clinical pre-requisites
GP physical examination. Physical examination has not been completed within the last 6 months (GPs must screen for potential medical causes for the presentation, such as hearing issues or speech and language conditions).
Excluded conditions. Patients who have Prader-Willi Syndrome, 22q11 Deletion Syndrome, Attachment Disorder, Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), or Severe Tics/Tourette's.
Mental health, crisis, and inpatient care
Acute inpatient care. Currently in hospital under the Mental Health Act (1983), or active or recent admission to an Acute Mental Health inpatient unit, 136 suite, or Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
Severe or untreated conditions. Untreated, severe, or complex conditions such as schizophrenia, severe PTSD, psychosis, or active treatment for a psychotic episode.
Suicidal intent and self-harm. Currently active suicidal intent, severe self-harm, or severe unmanaged mental health disorders requiring urgent intervention. This includes recent (past 6 months) or ongoing self-harm requiring medical treatment, harm to others requiring medical treatment, suicidal thoughts, or suicide attempts without a risk management plan in place or being put in place by their GP.
Neurodevelopmental, cognitive, and hearing or vision needs
Cognitive profile. Diagnosis of a Learning Disability, impaired cognitive functioning, or global developmental delay.
Hearing and vision needs. Severely to profoundly deaf children or those who use British Sign Language (BSL) as their first language (these children should be referred to NHS National Deaf CAMHS services).
Legal, forensic, and safeguarding factors
Legal and court proceedings. Individuals involved in ongoing legal cases, police investigations, child protection plans, court assessments, or court proceedings where intervention is not advised under Home Office guidelines.
Safeguarding. Any active safeguarding concerns requiring a Section 47 intervention. In addition, we cannot accept any child aged 2–4 years old with any active safeguarding concern (even if a risk management plan is in place).
Justice system. Currently serving a prison sentence.
Substance use. Active or recent involvement with Drug and Alcohol Services.
How to refer
Thank you for reviewing our criteria
Refer to our Remote or Hybrid Exeter Pathway
Please use the button below to start your referral process. We will notify parents immediately once we receive the referral and let them know the next steps.
Create a referral →Refer to our Norwich Pathway
Referring to our Norwich autism pathway is now quicker. Just complete our online referral form. There's no need to email us for a template or send your own form.
If you are an NHS GP in Norfolk and Suffolk ICB please complete the local referral form available via your Intranet.
