Create a new
NHS GP referral
To refer to our Remote or Hybrid Exeter pathway please use our online referral form, which you can access via the 'Create a referral' link on this page.
If you would like to refer a someone to our Hybrid Norwich pathway please contact us on paloma.health@nhs.net.
Parents will be notified immediately once we receive the referral and informed of next steps for their assessments.
Our dedicated email address for GP questions is paloma.health@nhs.net.
Paloma Health and the NHS
Paloma Health’s mission is to increase patient access to high quality NHS care. We have contracts with Norfolk & Waveney and Devon Integrated Care Boards to offer children and young people’s autism assessment services. Through the Right to Choose, we can accept referrals from any GP in England.
We have developed a pathway that is NICE aligned, and uses the latest science around autism assessments and new software tools to speed up access and improve service quality. We report on service access and quality metrics back to our NHS commissioners, so you can be reassured this service is monitored.
We offer remote and hybrid assessment options
Refer children for a remote assessment through our online referral form.
Refer children for a hybrid assessment in Exeter through our online referral form.
Refer children for a hybrid assessment in Norwich by contacting us on paloma.health@nhs.net.
*If the child has a diagnosed or suspected learning disability, speech and language condition or selective mutism they must be referred to our either our Exeter or Norwich hybrid pathway
** Children aged between 0 to their 5th birthday must be assessed by a community paediatrician who recommends an autism assessment before being referred to Paloma Health for an autism assessment. This ensures that any medical conditions are appropriately checked for before beginning the autism assessment process
How our service works
Paloma Health is only available in England, and only NHS GPs in England can refer into our service
NHS GP referral
To begin the process, your NHS GP will need to refer your child to us.
- For our remote or hybrid Exeter pathway, your GP can complete a simple online referral form.
- For our hybrid Norwich pathway, your GP will need to contact us directly to request a specific referral form.
We’re happy to support your GP with any questions they may have.
The Assessment
Our assessments follow NICE and NHS guidelines and are carried out by two qualified clinicians. The process includes:
- Parent and school questionnaires
- Parent interview
- A child observation
We’ll keep you informed at each stage so you always know what to expect.
The Outcome
At the end of the process, you’ll receive a clear, easy-to-understand outcome report, including a diagnosis if appropriate.
As an NHS provider, we’ll also securely share the report with you and your GP, ensuring continuity of care and next steps.
Why parents choose Paloma Health
No cost to you
We are a NHS Right to Choose provider
Fast
First appointments are in 6 months of GP referral
Safe
Assessments are performed by expert assessors
NHS approved
Your outcome report will be
accepted by local authorities
and other NHS services
Great communication
We keep you updated at every step of your assessment journey
NHS referrer Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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- The child or young person is registered with an NHS GP practice in England
- Children and young people aged 5-18 who are demonstrating signs of autism
- Children aged 0-4 who have been assessed by a Community Paediatrician, and that the Paediatrician has recommended an autism assessment. In line with NHS best practice, we cannot accept children 0-4 who have not seen a Community Paediatrician who has recommended an autism assessment.
Our exclusion criteria are:
- GP physical examination has not been completed within the last 6 months (GPs screen for potential medical causes for the presentation, such as hearing issues or speech and language conditions)
- Children who have had their 18th birthday or are older
- 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
- Any active safeguarding concerns requiring a Section 47 intervention.
- Complex mental health issues requiring specialist services if a referral to these specialist services has not been made. Examples of these specialist services are CAMHS (Tier 3/4), Crisis Teams, Early Intervention for Psychosis, Drug and Alcohol, Trauma, or Eating Disorder services.
- Moderate/severe learning disability where referral to Learning Disability CAMHS has not been offered
- Severely to profoundly deaf or use British Sign Language (BSL) as their first language (these children should be referred to NHS National Deaf CAMHS services)
- Currently in hospital under the Mental Health Act (1983)
- Currently serving a prison sentence
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-the-nhs/your-choices-in-the-nhs/
Trusted by families & GPs across the UK
Led by clinical experts
You expect the best for your child, so do we. Our senior clinical team is made up of compassionate, highly skilled professionals who are dedicated to providing the best possible care for your child.
With years of experience in autism diagnosis and support, they bring expertise, warmth, and a deep understanding of each child's unique needs.
Dr Kate Bennett
Kate is a compassionate Clinical Psychologist with extensive expertise in autism through her roles in the NHS, private practice, and education. She has a deep passion for promoting neurodivergence awareness and empowering individuals to realise their full potential.
Dr Manish Rao
Manish is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with nearly 20 years of experience in the NHS, including 13 years dedicated to supporting children and young people. Aside from his work at Paloma Health, he works as a Lead Clinician in an NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service in South East London.
Sarah Glew
Sarah is a Clinical Psychologist with experience and passion in neuroaffirmative practice and assessment for neurodivergent young people and their families, alongside teaching, research and supporting development in professionals in training. She brings extensive clinical and training experience to support high quality, efficient clinical delivery.
