The Right to Choose Psychiatry ukAs a patient you have the legal right to decide the place you're referred to for your treatment. This applies to services commissioned or led by CCGs and NHS England, as well as consultant-led elective treatments.Psychiatry-UK provides ADHD, Autism and combined assessments under the NHS right to choose pathway. This enables individuals with long NHS waiting lists to exercise their right to choose a provider and reduce the time they wait for an assessment.What is the right thing to choose?The right to choose psychiatry within the UK is an important legal rights that permits people to make decisions about their health care. This is the case for many services that include assessments and treatment. If a patient is evaluated for a condition such as ADHD they may choose to be directed to another NHS service provider that is not in their local area. This is a good option for many reasons, such as travel restrictions and in the event that the patient needs to consult with a specialist about their condition.The right to choose is currently available at the time of referral from a primary care practitioner to a first outpatient appointment for a physical health condition or mental illness. This only applies to those who are clinically competent, and have an agreement with NHS England or the CCG (host commissioner) that covers that service.If someone is referred by their local NHS Trust to receive an ADHD diagnosis, they will likely be directed to a local mental health service. The wait time for a first appointment can be as long as two years. However, if the person is able to decide, they can choose to be referred to an online ADHD diagnosis service like Psychiatry-UK which provides a faster route to diagnose.This is an exciting change that will increase access to mental health services in the UK particularly as it can often be an extended wait for an initial assessment, and then for treatment. There are a number challenges in improving access to psychiatry and the delivery of services in the UK. There is a shortage in consultants and a drive to increase recruitment.If a GP wants to refer a child to Psychiatry UK for an online ADHD test under the legal right to choose the GP must compose a brief explanation of their reasoning. The letter must be addressed to Psychiatry-UK and include the name of the GP on the bottom (not ANP or other). The letter should also contain an overview of the patient's medical history as well as a completed AQ50 (click here for a template). The Psychiatry-UK team will then contact the referring GP for more information.Who is eligible for the right to choose?In England, you are eligible to apply for Right to Choose if you have been referred by your GP to a consultant-led mental health team for assessment or treatment. psychiatry-uk reviews includes a neurodevelopmental diagnostic assessment for ADHD or Autism. It does not include other NHS services such as counselling, psychotherapy or psychiatric medications. You also cannot be in the Armed Forces, be detained under the Mental Health Act or be in a secure environment (including prisons, courts or certain secure training centers and youth offenders' institutions, or immigration removal centres).To exercise your right to decide, you must been referred by your doctor to an NHS provider who is authorized to provide the service. The service provided must be clinically appropriate for your needs. Psychiatry UK offers ADHD assessments for adults and children younger than 19 via Right to Choose. The appointments are in person. If you prefer to make an online appointment, they can provide a private ADHD evaluation for adults as well as children. They also offer the titration of medications following an assessment. However this service is not available through RTC.It is vital to let your GP know that you would like to exercise your right to choose. You can download a referral letter from the majority of Right to Choose providers and send it to your GP. The letter provides the information they require to make a referral. Click here to download a copy from Psychiatry UK.How can I exercise my right to choose?In the majority cases when you are referred to a GP suggests you seek specialist mental health care, you have the legal right to choose a provider for your treatment. You will not be penalized by the NHS if you choose to visit an private hospital than if a GP has referred you to one. You have the right to choose a patient service or provider that has a NHS Standard Contract with any CCG, NHS England or any CCG for the service required (this includes a variety of hospitals). You cannot use your right to choose to use cancer services with a maximum two-week waiting period as well as maternity services or mental health services offered by the armed forces.In a questionnaire study of future psychiatrists who planned to pursue a career three, five and one years after graduating from medical school, about 4% selected psychiatry as their first choice of career. Comparing this figure to doctors who opted for other careers in clinical, it was similar to the 3-4 percent of Americans who choose the field of psychiatry. The numbers were higher for females than males, which reflects the long-standing trend of more women deciding to become psychiatrists than men.The choice of psychiatrists to pursue their career in psychiatry is influenced by a variety of factors. 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 with ADHD their doctor can utilize the NHS's Right To Choose to refer them for an independent assessment with Psychiatry-UK. A specialist ADHD doctor will provide an assessment and a titration of medication. Here, GPs can learn more about the condition, and even an email they can send to their patients.You can only use your Right to Choose for other conditions, for example, OCD when your doctor recommends an assessment by a mental health professional and you've been released from the treatment. Your doctor can make a referral to Psychiatry UK from the specialist mental health service. We can then offer an assessment and titration for any medication prescribed.What if I don't want to make a decision?You are not required to make a decision when you do not want to. If you choose to exercise your right to choose, you must be aware of the implications. If you do not make use of this option it could impact the speed you can to get an appointment as well as the quality of the service you receive. It also will affect the options you will have in the future should you need to be referred back.It is essential to inform your GP immediately if you decide not to use this right. The doctor should then recommend you to the best service that meets your requirements. You may have to wait longer for an appointment, but it's worth waiting if you feel it's best thing to do.You can ask your GP whether Psychiatry UK offers an online ADHD assessment. The website offers details on how to conduct this assessment and also an assessment letter you can download to present to your GP. This service can be offered to both children and adults, but they do not offer titration of medications through the NHS after an assessment. They can currently provide an assessment for patients in Kent and Medway as in addition to Isle of Wight and North East Hampshire.Psychiatry UK is a non-profit association that offers no-cost, confidential e-consultations by qualified psychiatrists. These consultations are conducted over the internet and are booked using an online booking system that is secure. The appointments are recorded and stored in a medical database and the data is used by a group of specially trained clinicians to monitor patient health. These clinicians are also monitored by senior members of the mental health profession who ensure that the services are delivered to the highest standard.The authors would like to thank the nine participants who took part in the one-to-one semi-structured interviews for their time and effort. They were selected at various stages of their medical school and came from a range of backgrounds. From second year at BSMS, to just finishing their fifth year at medical school. They were interviewed by video or email and were asked to speak about their experiences of choosing to pursue a career in psychiatry.