Desperate for help - Right to Choose?

Yeah GP saying “might work” is useless lol, you actually have to go back and ask them to refer you specifically under Right to Choose to a provider like Psychiatry UK, they don’t do it automatically, you literally have to name the provider and push for it a bit, once that’s done the wait is usually way shorter than NHS standard.

They don't do RTC in Argentina either. 

There is RTC in England yes but not in Wales. Just saying for these finding this in the future.

I did a webinar with Psychiatry UK in the week about autism, the doctor said it takes about 3 months for the assessment at the moment. So wondering if it depends on who you are referred to as to the length you need to wait.

My GP offers the AQ-50 when you request it initially. I handed my back and stated in the email, 'if I score over the threshold, I would like RTC and I wish to be sent to Clinical Partners (at the time a 6-8k month wait) it took 9 months for my assessment, which I was happy enough with. I think Clinical Partners have a longer wait now. The point is, RTC is your obligation, and if speed is your goal, go this way. Have a look at current RTC waits and pick one and effectively demand it from the GP. He has no choice but to accept. Good luck.

I just wanted to highlight what goesbysteve said, that a diagnosis doesn't really open up a lot of help that you can't get already with self-diagnosis. You can still go for it but you can do stuff in the mean time perhaps?

If there is something that he needs help with, it might be worth posing that question too and you could get some help now for him while you wait for the assessment. You don't need it on paper to start making changes to help him live better!

I messaged my GP online service last September and said I would like to be referred through RTC (my therapist suggested I do it as she could see something no one else ever has). The GP service replied with a link to carry out something like the AQ10 test, then I returned those results. They then sent me a very  long questionnaire and I filled that in and they sent me the information on how to go through RTC after that. The reception lady even helped me as I was struggling. So in theory you shouldn’t even need to speak to your GP. I do think it’s sound advice someone else has put to try reading things in the internet regarding neurodiversity, get some books, look on here. Look on Embrace Autism and try  the questionnaires as they can give you a better idea of yourself. 

You're most welcome, and I'm sorry you had that experience.

My own GP didn't mention RTC. I spent two years on the NHS waiting list - with much longer to go, and with my mental health deteriorating even further as a direct result of the wait - before I even learned about that pathway.

It was an NHS psychologist who suggested it to me, during a medication review. After asking my GP to re-refer me, I was then assessed and diagnosed via RTC within just a few months. I can't tell you how much I wish I'd known about RTC at the very beginning.

In Wales we have no right to choose. I faced a 3 year waiting list in Powys. Likely I’d never have got to the head of the queue. I went private even tho I am unemployed right now and had to risk taking long term savings out. There really isn’t any support post diagnosis either.

I would research what support you believe you need and actually what is available. I understand feeling desperate but I think a lot has to come from within the person. Understand the triggers and challenges and adapt accordingly to be as happy as you can. That may mean tough choices about what employment is taken, lifestyle choices, who and where you socialise with. It can be a tough compromise for the better life.

There is a lot you can do yourself and access without a formal diagnosis. I take it you have completed the full diagnostic questionnaires? I don’t know which one your GP asked you to and you referred to in your post.

I’m just being honest about my experience and the way I’ve done to think about support and where that comes from. Obviously individuals are different in their lives. I’d be interested in hearing about the issues your fiancé are experiencing and what support he feel he needs. Maybe the community here can help even before a diagnosis. I’m happy to contribute if you want to reach out to me.

All the best

Thanks for this. The GP we saw didn’t seem to take our RTC request seriously. He sort of waved his hand and said ‘that might work’ and changed the subject totally. I feel quite annoyed now knowing the RTC referral is his responsibility. 

Thank you 

I went to the GP in June 2025. My GP herself recommended right to choose. I was referred to clinical partners and had my assessments in march and my diagnosis confirmed in April 2026. 

It has been a really positive experience. Perhaps ask a different GP. 

Good luck  

Yours came so quickly, I wonder if it is dependent on where you live? I am waiting 7 months now and was told 5-9 months. It’s very hard. 

Hello,

I went through my GP with Right to Choose and had the Autism assessment with Psychiatry UK.

I approached my GP in January explaining my situation and asked if I could be assessed, I filled out the initial questions then had to fill in questionnaires online from Psychiatry UK

I had my assessment last week (beginning of April). It did surprise me how quickly the assessment came round, as I was expecting it to be longer.

I wish you all the best with your fiancé getting a diagnosis. 

Hi and welcome to the community.

Your GP is responsible for referring your partner to an approved RTC provider if he requests that pathway, rather than being assessed directly by an NHS team.

There's more information here: 

NAS - How to request an autism assessment > What is Right to Choose?

This NHS article lists some providers (towards the bottom of the page) and also explains the process in more detail, including covering some frequently asked questions:

NHS Sussex - NHS Right to Choose: for autism and ADHD assessment

By way of a specific example of a provider, several of us here were assessed via RTC by Psychiatry-UK. They currently indicate a 5-6 month waiting time after a GP referral via RTC. Again, this page explains more about their process - other providers may differ:

Psychiatry-UK - Right to Choose Autism Assessment

dsv2202 said:

we desperately need support for him and I believe a formal diagnosis will help us to access this.

The NAS explains that "A formal diagnosis is often not required to access support, however this will depend on the kind of support that may be needed" - you might find the advice here helpful:

NAS - What can I do while waiting for an autism assessment? > Can I get support while waiting to be assessed?

More generally, there's a lot of additional information and advice in the NAS's Diagnosis hub that you might both find helpful.