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Right to choose on hold?

Orangegnome

I have just read that the wait list for autism assessments through Right To Choose has been put on hold. I looked further into it and it seems it maybe until the beginning of the new financial year when more funding is available. Is anyone aware of any more information about this?  I am awaiting assessment and have been feeling very anxious about this recently and now it’s even worse! 

Parents

  •  I get why this is spiking your anxiety - waiting's bad enough without a sudden hold. From what I can see, yeah, it's real: Right To Choose assessments for autism (and ADHD) got paused in several NHS areas because funding ran out early in the 2025-26 year. Integrated Care Boards hit their limits on how many they can commission, so providers like Psicon or ADHD-360 stopped booking new ones - some since late 2025.

    The good(ish) news? Most spots say it'll restart from 1 April 2026, when the new financial year kicks in and fresh funding drops. Referrals aren't cancelled - just deferred - so you're still in line but expect a backlog as everyone piles in then. It's not everywhere (depends on your ICB - check yours via your provider or GP), but nine+ areas were affected last check, like Hampshire, Surrey, Greater Manchester.

    Hang tight: no need to panic-action. Talk to your GP for an update - they might confirm your status or push priority if it's urgent. In the meantime, lean on free stuff like NAS resources, forums, or even mindfulness apps to ease the edge.

    You're not alone in this - tons are waiting too. If you share your area, I can dig more specific. Breathe, yeah? It'll move.

  • in reply to lostmyway
    • Oh thank you for this calming reply. I do have a tendency to panic and think the worst thing will happen (mainly because in the past it has). I have had a look now and yes the end of the financial year approaching seems to be the reason. I’ve waited quite a while now and this thing makes me feel very anxious because it is out of my control. 
  • in reply to Orangegnome

    I hear you. That "worst-case" spiral? It's brutal when life's thrown enough curveballs to make panic feel like habit. But here's the thing - it's not out of control forever. Just... paused. And from what folks are saying online (Reddit, Facebook groups, even NHS updates), yeah, it's tied to the funding cutoff. Most providers - like Psicon, Psychiatry-UK - are straight-up saying new bookings restart 1 April 2026. No one's losing their spot; it's just frozen till then.

    You're not alone - loads are in the same boat, counting down. Breathe with me: in for four, out for six. You've waited this long; a few more weeks won't break you.

    If it helps, mark April on your calendar. Circle it. Treat it like a quiet promise - things move then.

    You're handling this better than you think

  • in reply to Orangegnome

    Yes, I get that. Life's already a tangle without adding months-long waits or endless forms. The Right to Choose being there? That's a lifeline - quiet, but real. Means you don't have to beg or bankrupt yourself just to get answers.

    You're grateful for what works. That's not settling - it's smart. Keep leaning on it. You've got this. Wink

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  • in reply to Orangegnome

    Yes, I get that. Life's already a tangle without adding months-long waits or endless forms. The Right to Choose being there? That's a lifeline - quiet, but real. Means you don't have to beg or bankrupt yourself just to get answers.

    You're grateful for what works. That's not settling - it's smart. Keep leaning on it. You've got this. Wink

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