Proudly providing NHS servicesIf you live in England, you can ask your GP to refer your child to an NHS provider of your choice for an ADHD or autism assessment. Paloma Health is one of those providers.
The NHS pays for your assessment, and there is nothing to pay at any stage.
The basics
Right to Choose is a legal right set out in the NHS Constitution. It means you can choose which NHS-approved provider carries out your first appointment with a specialist team.
For ADHD and autism, local waiting lists can be several years long. Right to Choose lets you pick a provider with a shorter wait, without leaving the NHS and without paying. Your assessment, report and any diagnosis are all part of your NHS care.
You don't need a special form or a reason. You ask your GP, they check you meet the criteria, and they refer you to the provider you've chosen.
Every assessment follows NICE guidelines and is carried out by qualified NHS-standard clinicians.
Children and young people
A NICE-compliant assessment for children and young people, with parent and school questionnaires, a parent interview and an observation.
About autism assessments →Children and young people
A thorough assessment of attention, activity and impulsivity, with input from home and school and a clear report on your child's strengths and needs.
About ADHD assessments →Children and young people
Two assessments that looks at both ADHD and autism together, so your child only goes through the process once.
About joint assessments →Two minutes
Answer a few short questions about your child's current care. We'll tell you straight away whether you can be referred to us under Right to Choose.
Updated every month
We publish our live wait times for each service and ICB so you can compare them with your local NHS waiting list.
How it's funded
When your GP refers you under Right to Choose, your local Integrated Care Board (ICB) pays for your assessment. This is the same NHS budget that funds care in your area. The money follows you to the provider you've chosen.
We're paid at an agreed NHS rate. You won't be asked for a deposit, a top-up or a card payment, and your place on any existing local waiting list isn't affected by choosing us.
£0
to you, at every stage
Your ICB
pays from local NHS budgets
NHS rate
agreed and fixed for every provider
Use our eligibility checker to confirm you can be referred to us under Right to Choose.
Book a GP appointment and ask to be referred to Paloma Health under Right to Choose. Our GP letter explains everything they need.
Your GP completes our referral form. We'll confirm we've received it and let you know what happens next.
We'll book your assessment, keep you informed at each stage and send you and your GP a clear, easy-to-read report.
who are paloma health?
Our founders saw first-hand how limited resources and long waitlists affected families. They joined forces in November 2023 to build a service that shortens those waits without cutting corners on clinical quality. Since then, we've supported thousands of families in accessing support.
Our regulators, professional bodies and affiliations help ensure our work meets recognised clinical and professional standards.
Our clinical teams are experienced professionals who are thorougly vetted by us, registed with the appropriate professional bodies, and are highly trained in delivering neurodevelopmental assessments.
Our team of assessors have led or worked within NHS teams, have an extensive amount of expertise and lived experience to their work, ensuring the highest quality of care for you and your child.
Further reading
Explore a range of resources written by the Paloma Health team to help you understand the Right to Choose journey.
Learn how to switch NHS ADHD and autism assessment providers through Right to Choose. Get assessed faster without changing your GP. Access Paloma from any ICB region in England.
How long is the wait for an NHS autism or ADHD assessment in 2026? Compare pathway wait times, understand the 18-week rule, and learn how to reduce the wait.
Learn exactly what to say to your GP to request a Right to Choose referral for your child's ADHD or autism assessment, plus what to do if they say no.
No. Your assessment is paid for by the NHS through your local Integrated Care Board. There is nothing to pay at any point, including for your report.
Your GP should refer you to the provider you choose if you meet the criteria and they agree an assessment is clinically appropriate. If they're unsure, we're happy to speak with them directly.
Yes. We're an NHS-commissioned provider, so any diagnosis is an NHS diagnosis. We share your report securely with you and your GP, and it's recognised by schools, local authorities and other NHS services.
Yes. You can ask your GP to refer you to us under Right to Choose. Let them know if you'd like to come off your local list once your referral is accepted. You can read our full guide to switching providers on our resources page.
Our assessments are usually available within 2 to 12 weeks of referral. You can see our latest figures on our wait times page.
No. Right to Choose applies in England only, so you need to be registered with an NHS GP in England to be referred to us.
If your child's GP agrees they would benefit from an assessment, under the Right to Choose, you have the legal right to be referred to a provider of your choice. You will need to contact your GP and ask them to refer your child to Paloma Health under Right to Choose.
Yes, if your child is diagnosed with ADHD by Paloma Health you will be able to access our medication service if deemed suitable. We do not require shared care, and we are to continue prescribing medication to your child for free under the NHS indefinitely.
No you cannot. All referrals must come directly from an NHS GP.
We have a variety of resources and help guides on our resources page. If you cannot find what you need there, please reach out to us via our contact us page.
Still have a question? Contact our team →
