What is Right to Choose?
In England, under the NHS, you now have a legal right to choose your mental healthcare provider, including for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) assessments. This service, offered through the NHS, is free of charge.

Introduction to Right to Choose Referrals
Did you know that NHS patients have the legal right to select their mental healthcare provider? This important right allows you to explore alternative providers if the waiting time for an ADHD or ASD assessment is too long. Right to Choose, introduced in 2018, is still a relatively new system, and many patients may not be aware of these options.

Who Can Offer Right to Choose Assessments?
Several clinics across the UK offer Right to Choose ADHD and/or ASD assessments. To be eligible to provide this service, clinics must also offer the same service to the NHS in England. Private-only clinics are not eligible. Checking a provider’s website is a good way to determine if they offer the services you need.

Which Providers Offer Right to Choose Assessments?
The list of clinics offering Right to Choose assessments is constantly evolving. Currently, several clinics are available, but there may be other providers worth researching as well.

Important Resources

• ADHD & Right to Choose referrals: Visit the ADHD website for more information.
• ASD & Right to Choose referrals: Visit the National Autistic Society website for helpful details.

Things to Consider About Right to Choose
It’s important to note that many clinics offering these assessments can diagnose ADHD or ASD but may not provide medication titration. This means you might need a local NHS referral if medication is required to manage symptoms.

When Can You Not Use Right to Choose?
There are certain restrictions on eligibility for Right to Choose referrals. You are not eligible if:

• You require urgent or emergency treatment.
• You are already receiving care for the condition you are seeking an assessment for.
• The provider you choose cannot provide appropriate care for your condition.
• You are a prisoner or in specific secure settings such as a secure hospital or under the Mental Health Act.
• You are a serving member of the armed forces.

How to Request a Right to Choose Referral from Your GP
Have an open conversation with your GP about your concerns regarding ADHD or ASD. Your GP may suggest a referral for an official assessment. With extensive waiting times for ADHD and ASD assessments in Hertfordshire, Right to Choose can offer faster alternatives, reducing the long wait for diagnosis and support.

What Happens After Choosing a Clinic?
Once you select a clinic, either you or your family (if the patient is a child) will need to research and decide which provider to choose. Your GP cannot advise on which clinic to select. After making your choice, email or send an admin E-consult with your selection and any relevant forms to ensure an efficient referral process. The NHS standard contract (section 7.9) dictates the use of the e-RS referral system but does not require the use of a form to accompany such a referral. Your GP will make the referral by letter but will not complete forms created by the providers.

How Much Quicker Will Right to Choose Be?
The speed of the assessment depends on your chosen clinic and whether they offer medication titration. Generally, Right to Choose assessments can take anywhere from 12 weeks to 12 months—much quicker than the local NHS alternatives, which have waiting times of up to 7 years. If a clinic offers a diagnosis but not medication titration, you may need an additional referral for post-diagnostic support,which can take up to 24 months locally. Your GP will not initiate specialist medication and will only prescribe once the patient is stable on a dose and if the provider can meet the same standard for shared care as local NHS services.

Why Choose Right to Choose If Medication May Not Be Easily Accessible?
Many patients find that a diagnosis is sufficient for obtaining additional support from schools or employers, or they may not need medication at all for managing their conditions.

Further Questions?
If you have additional questions, a simple call to your surgery may provide answers. For further research, here are some helpful resources:

Information on ADHD

• AHD UKD: A charity offering free advice and information on ADHD and Right to Choose referrals
• ADHD Foundation: The UK’s leading neurodiversity charity, offering services for those who live with ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, DCD, Dyscalculia, OCD, Tourette’s Syndrome and more
• NHS Website
• Mind: ADHD and mental health

Information on ASD

• National Autistic Society: offer support and advise for autistic people in the UK and their families
• Autism Speaks: Autism Speaks is dedicated to creating an inclusive world for all individuals with autism throughout their lifespan
• NHS Website
• Mind: Autism and mental health

Calling all dads in Hertfordshire!

Discover a wealth of resources and support tailored just for you at the Families First Support for Dads webpage. Whether you're looking for parenting tips, local activities, or advice, we've got you covered. What you'll find:-

- Parenting advice and tips

- Local events and activities

- Support services and resources

- Community connections

Visit our page and be the best dad you can be!

www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/familiesfirstdads

Local NHS services are under extreme pressure as they are looking after
rising numbers of very unwell people.

New NHS data covering the Christmas and New Year period shows flu
cases have continued to skyrocket with the numbers of people hospitalised
with flu quadrupling in a month and hundreds of people in critical care.
The NHS is also seeing rising cases of COVID, winter vomiting bugs and
respiratory (breathing) illnesses.

To help prevent avoidable illness, protect vulnerable relatives and friends
and ensure that vital NHS services are there for those who need them,
local NHS leaders are calling on everyone in our area to follow this
advice:  

🔵 Make sure that you and your family are up to date with flu, COVID,
and RSV vaccinations. These vaccines are especially important for
older people, those with underlying health conditions, and pregnant
women. Visit the Hertfordshire and west Essex vaccination hub for
more information on who is eligible and how to get your vaccine. https://www.hertsandwestessex.ics.nhs.uk/your-health-and-care/vaccinations/ 

🔵 If you or your family get the norovirus bug that causes sickness and
diarrhoea, treat this at home with plenty of rest and drinking lots of
fluids. Reduce the spread by washing your hands frequently with
soap and water – hand gels won’t kill norovirus. Stay at home and
especially stay away from care homes, hospitals and social
occasions until you’ve been clear of symptoms for at least two days.
You will still be very infectious until then.  

🔵 If you or a loved one are very unwell, get medical advice straight
away. Early help can prevent hospital admissions and save lives. If
you need help for a minor concern, see if your local pharmacy is
open as they can often help when GP practices are closed. 

🔵 Contact NHS 111 free for urgent help or if you’re unsure. Don’t forget the
mental health support on offer via NHS 111 – choose option 2 when
you get through.

🔵 You can help your General Practice by using online consultations where
possible and avoiding calling at the 8am rush. Visit your practice website
for information on how to access their services if you need help with an
ongoing health concern.

🛑 For minor illness or concerns there is a service that allows you to walk into
a pharmacy and see a pharmacist who can offer appropriate advice, treatment and support for the following range of minor illnesses and health
concerns: 

🛑 Earache (aged 1 to 17 years)  
🛑 Impetigo (aged 1 year and over)  
🛑 Infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)  
🛑 Sore throats (aged 5 years and over)  
🛑 Shingles (aged 18 years and over)  
🛑 Sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)  
🛑 Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women (aged 16 to 64 years) 

 
Where the pharmacist is unable to help or any symptoms warrant further
investigation, the pharmacist can direct the individual to their GP surgery or
another health care professional as appropriate.

Find a pharmacy open near you on the NHS website. https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy

For more information on keeping well this winter visit the Hertfordshire and
west Essex winter health and wellbeing information hub.https://www.hertsandwestessex.ics.nhs.uk/your-health-and-care/stay-well/winter-health-and-wellbeing-hub/ 

Thank you for playing your part in helping the NHS.

Their aim is to promote cardiovascular health and well-being throughout the local community in Hertfordshire, England.

Whether you're managing cardiovascular conditions, concerned about your heart health, or caring for a family member, they're here to provide support.

Explore the website for valuable resources, including links to support organisations, frequently asked questions, and a form where you can express interest in participating in their events.

Collaborating closely with the practice team, they're committed to refining the referral process, ensuring tailored support through local charities and social prescribers. For more information or to get involved, please reach out to the practice directly or complete their contact form.

• Thursday 5th September
• Tuesday 8th October 
• Wednesday 6th November

A notice from West Herts Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

You now need to book an appointment for a blood test

From December 1st you can register with the online system to book appointments from December 14th