[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc” custom_padding_tablet=”80px||80px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin: auto;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Defending your Right to Choose diagnosis” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||32px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||16px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”32px||32px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”15px||15px||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Families have told us they\u2019re being told that a diagnosis received through a Right to Choose provider won\u2019t be accepted by the NHS. Some have even been told they can\u2019t access support unless they start again on an NHS waiting list. This is causing extra stress and uncertainty for families who are already struggling, and we believe there is no justification for this. Right to Choose providers are commissioned by the NHS, and the assessments they deliver are NHS-funded and NHS-approved.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.pdasociety.org.uk\/pda2025staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2b.-About-demand-avoidance@2x.png” alt=”Stylised illustration of a person with long hair holding up their hand in front of their face, obscuring their features, on a teal background.” title_text=”About demand avoidance@2x” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”15px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” border_radii=”on|24px|24px|24px|24px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”gcid-d4d84b5e-d061-48e7-894c-a52b4e3d47de” custom_padding=”80px||80px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”80px||80px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-d4d84b5e-d061-48e7-894c-a52b4e3d47de%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||16px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”32px||15px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”15px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/b><\/p>\n When you finally receive a diagnosis, it can be life-changing. It can help you make sense of your experiences and understand what support might help. Being told afterwards that your diagnosis isn\u2019t valid can feel deeply unsettling. Parents have shared how disheartening\u00a0it is to be sent back to the beginning of the system, especially after long waits and considerable emotional strain.<\/p>\n We understand how difficult this situation can be. Many families turn to Right to Choose because they have been waiting a long time for an NHS autism assessment, or because their child\u2019s needs have reached crisis point. Being told that an NHS-funded diagnosis \u201cdoesn\u2019t count\u201d adds avoidable stress and can delay essential support.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc” custom_padding=”80px||80px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”80px||80px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/b><\/p>\n Under the NHS Constitution, people in England have a legal Right to Choose their provider for most consultant-led services, including autism assessments. A provider can only offer assessments through this route if they have gone through a formal approval process with an NHS commissioner or an Integrated Care Board (ICB).<\/p>\n This approval process is detailed and specific. Providers must show that they meet all the relevant NHS commissioning standards, including:<\/p>\n meeting national service specifications<\/p>\n<\/li>\n employing appropriately qualified clinicians<\/p>\n<\/li>\n having strong clinical governance and safeguarding processes<\/p>\n<\/li>\n following NHS rules for data protection and record-keeping<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n An NHS contract must be in place before the provider can appear on the Right to Choose pathway. This contract confirms that the service is competent, safe and authorised to deliver NHS-funded diagnostic assessments.<\/p>\n Once approved, providers must follow NICE guidance and take part in routine NHS quality monitoring. They must maintain full clinical records and issue diagnostic reports that are suitable for NHS use. The fact that a provider appears on the Right to Choose list therefore means the NHS has reviewed and accepted the service, its clinicians and its assessment processes.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”gcid-d4d84b5e-d061-48e7-894c-a52b4e3d47de” min_height=”543px” custom_padding=”80px||3px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”80px||80px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-d4d84b5e-d061-48e7-894c-a52b4e3d47de%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”What this means for families” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||32px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||16px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”32px||15px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”15px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n If a provider is approved by the NHS to carry out autism assessments, then the diagnoses they issue are NHS diagnoses. Families should be able to rely on them when accessing support across the system.<\/p>\n It is not reasonable for one part of the NHS to commission a provider to deliver assessments, and for another part to then refuse to recognise the outcomes of those same assessments. When this happens, families are left without clarity and a clear way forward \u2014 and this can have a real impact on everyday life.<\/p>\n By approving a provider for the Right to Choose pathway, the NHS has already accepted that:<\/p>\n the assessment team is appropriately qualified<\/p>\n<\/li>\n the service follows national guidance<\/p>\n<\/li>\n the assessment process meets NHS standards<\/p>\n<\/li>\n the diagnostic reports produced are suitable for NHS use<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Families who use the Right to Choose route are entitled to expect that their diagnosis will be treated with the same respect and validity as any other NHS-funded diagnosis.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F2ECEB” custom_padding_tablet=”64px||64px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||16px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”32px||15px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”15px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/b><\/p>\n The PDA Society believes that NHS services should recognise diagnoses issued by NHS-approved Right to Choose providers. Rejecting these diagnoses raises questions about fairness, consistency and the NHS\u2019s duty to provide lawful, timely access to assessment.<\/p>\n Families should not be placed in the position of having to repeat an assessment they have already completed through an NHS-funded route. If an NHS team disagrees with a diagnosis, they should clearly explain why and point to specific clinical reasons, not the route through which the assessment was accessed.<\/p>\n Parents and adults who face this situation have every right to challenge such decisions and request a clear justification. It is reasonable to ask why a diagnosis from a provider that the NHS itself has authorised is not being accepted.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-9868c831-dc08-4be7-96b8-e0cb537cb9dc%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”gcid-d4d84b5e-d061-48e7-894c-a52b4e3d47de” custom_padding=”32px|40px|40px|40px|false|false” border_radii=”on|24px|24px|24px|24px” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-d4d84b5e-d061-48e7-894c-a52b4e3d47de%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” custom_padding=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\nWhy this matters<\/b><\/h2>\n
How the NHS approves Right to Choose providers<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Our position<\/b><\/h2>\n
If this has happened to you<\/span><\/h2>\n