The Right to Choose Psychiatry ukAs a patient, you have the legal right to choose the location to which you will be referred for your treatment. This applies to services that are commissioned or supervised by CCGs and NHS England, as well as to consultant-led elective treatment.Psychiatry UK offers ADHD, Autism and combined assessments under the NHS right to choose pathway. This allows people on long NHS wait lists to exercise their choice of provider and decrease the time they wait for an evaluation.What is the best option to decide?The right to choose psychiatry uk is a fundamental legal right that allows patients to make their own decisions about their healthcare. This is true for many services that include assessments and treatment. If a person is screened for a condition like ADHD they may choose to be sent to another NHS service provider than their local area. This is a good option for a variety of reasons, including travel restrictions or when a patient wishes to see a specialist in their condition.The legal right of choice is currently applicable at the time of referral from a primary care practitioner to an initial outpatient appointment for a physical condition or mental illness. This only applies to those that are clinically appropriate and have a contract for commissioning with the CCG or NHS England (host commissioner) for that service.For instance If a patient is being referred to their local NHS Trust for an ADHD diagnosis, they could be referred to a local mental health services where waiting times can be more than two years for the first appointment. If the person has the option, they can choose to be referred to a provider which offers an online ADHD diagnosis, such as Psychiatry UK, which provides the fastest path to diagnosis.This is a positive step that could improve access to mental health treatment in the UK. It can be a hassle to wait for an assessment, and then treatment. There are many obstacles to improving access to psychiatry services and the provision of services in the UK. There is a shortage in consultants and a drive to increase recruitment.If a doctor wishes to refer the child to Psychiatry UK for an online ADHD test, under the lawful right of choice the GP must compose a brief explanation of the reason for their decision. The letter should be addressed directly to Psychiatry UK and include the name of the GP at the end of the page (not ANP). The letter should also contain an overview of the patient's medical history and an completed AQ50 (click here for the template). The Psychiatry UK will then contact the referring GP for further details.Who is eligible to vote?In England If your doctor has referred you to a consultant-led team of mental health professionals to assess or treat you and you are eligible, you could be eligible to apply for Right to Choose. This includes the diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorder for ADHD or Autism. It does not include other NHS services such as counselling, psychotherapy or psychiatric medication. You cannot be a member of the Armed Forces or in a secure area (such as a prison or specialized training centre or a young offenders' institution or an immigration removal centre).To exercise your right to decide, you must been referred by a GP to an NHS provider that is commissioned to provide the service. The service must be clinically appropriate to your needs. Psychiatry UK is currently able to offer ADHD assessments through Right to Choose for adults and children up to age 19. These appointments are delivered in person. If you prefer an appointment online, they can offer an individual ADHD assessment for adults and children. They also offer the titration of medications following an assessment. However this service isn't available through RTC.It is vital that you let your GP be aware that you would like to exercise your right to choose. You can download a referral form from the majority of Right to Choose providers and give it to your GP. This letter explains the information needed to request an appointment. Click here for the template from Psychiatry UK.How do I exercise my right to decide?In the majority cases if an GP refers you for specialist mental health care, you have the legal right to choose a provider for your care. You will not be charged more by the NHS should you choose to visit private hospitals than if a doctor has referred you to one. You can exercise your patient choice rights for any service or provider that has an NHS Standard Contract with any CCG or NHS England for the required service (this includes many private hospitals). You cannot use your right to gain quicker access to cancer services which are subject to a 2 week maximum waiting period for maternity services, mental health services provided by the armed forces.In a survey of intending psychiatrists three, five and one years after graduating from medical school, around 4% decided to pursue psychiatry as their primary choice of career. In comparison to doctors who chose other clinical professions as their first choice, this figure was similar to the 3-4% who entered the field of psychiatry as a specialization in the USA. The figures were higher for women than men, reflecting the long-standing trend of more women deciding to become psychiatrists than men.The factors that influence psychiatrists to choose the field of psychiatry as a career are numerous. Of these, 'enthusiasm/commitment: what I really want to do' was the factor rated as having most influence by over half of respondents in year one. 'Student experience of the subject','self-appraisal of own skills' and 'inclinations before medical school' were also cited as having a significant effect on choice.For those who suffer from ADHD, their GP can use the NHS's Right To Refer them to an independent assessment through Psychiatry-UK. A specialist ADHD doctor will provide an assessment and a titration of medication. Here, GPs will learn more about the condition, and even a letter they can give their patients.You are only able to use your Right to Choose for other conditions, like OCD when your doctor recommends an assessment by a mental health professional and you've been released from the service. Your doctor may request a referral to Psychiatry UK from the specialist mental health service. We can then provide an assessment and titration report for any prescribed medications.What if I don't wish to exercise my right to choose?You don't have to exercise your choice in the event that you decide not to. If you choose to exercise your right to choose, you should understand the consequences. If you decide not to exercise this right it could impact the speed at which you are able to schedule an appointment and the quality of the service you receive. psychiatry uk reviews will also affect the amount of choice you have in the future should you need to be referred back.It is important to tell your GP immediately in the event that you do not use this right. They'll recommend a treatment that's the best fit for your requirements. You may need to wait a bit longer to schedule an appointment, but it's worth waiting if you feel it's the best thing to do.You can ask your GP to contact Psychiatry UK to see if they can provide an online ADHD assessment. The website provides details on how to complete this, as well as a downloadable letter that you can give to your GP. This service can be offered to both children and adults but they don't offer titration of medications through the NHS after an assessment. They currently provide an assessment in Kent and Medway, Isle of Wight and North East Hampshire.Psychiatry UK is a not-for-profit organization that provides free online consultations that are confidential and with licensed psychiatrists. Consultations are conducted on the internet and can be booked via an online booking system that is secure. These appointments are recorded in an electronic medical database and utilized by a group of specially trained to monitor patient health. These clinicians are also overseen by senior mental health professionals who ensure that the services are provided to the highest standard.The authors would like to thank the nine participants for their time and efforts. They were selected at various stages of their medical school and came from a range of backgrounds. From their second year at BSMS, to just finishing their fifth year at medical school. They were interviewed via video or email, and were asked to speak about their experiences when they decided to pursue the field of psychiatry as a career.