A personal and reflective account from Alan, volunteer and Director, Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire

In early 2023 I was given cause to seek an assessment for Autism via my GP. The referral was sent to Adult Autism Assessment Service in Bedford shortly after, and within a few days I was sent some questionnaire forms to fill in online.

I heard no more until September 2023 when I was invited to a Phase 1 assessment in Dunstable, and I was advised that there was more than enough to proceed to a Phase 2 assessment. After that everything went into slow motion, and the timescale kept being put further away, and I was told the wait time was up to 3.5 years for the Phase 2.

Fast forward to March 2026, when I called the Adult Autism Assessment Service again, and I was advised of the Right to Choose service, where I contact my GP and they make that referral. I had a telephone conversation with my GP, and while on the phone he looked up the Right to Choose providers, and chose the one with the shortest waiting list, and that referral went within a couple of days. A few days later I got a 4 part online questionnaire which I completed straight away, and was advised that the next step would be about 5 weeks away.

I called them at the 5 week point, and I was given an appointment for a Phase 1 assessment the next week. After that two hour assessment I was told that I should hear about the Phase 2 assessment within 2 weeks. A week later I received an email with a link to book the Phase 2 assessment, and I chose the one a 2pm that day. The appointment lasted an hour with some probing questions, and observations while online. At the end of the hour I was informed that I was indeed Autistic, and the whole process was completed in around 6 weeks.

The message here is that if you are awaiting an assessment via the NHS, ask your GP to refer you via the Right to Choose service, it is a lot faster, and will take some of the load from the NHS option as they remove you from their waiting list after you inform them of the outcome of the Right to Choose pathway.

As you can see from Alan’s experience, the service he received was one that made him feel reassured and heard. 

Right to Choose – Information for Patients (Central Bedfordshire)

As part of the Autism and ADHD assessment pathway, many patients choose to use the Right to Choose option. This allows you to have more choice and flexibility in where you are assessed.

Under Right to Choose, you can select from a range of approved providers, including some independent (private) organisations, to carry out your assessment at no cost to you.

However, it is important to be aware of the following:

  • If you are diagnosed and require medication, NHS prescriptions are only routinely supported through Psychiatry UK in our area.
  • If you choose a different provider, you may still receive your assessment free of charge, but any medication prescribed by that provider may need to be paid for privately.

We recommend considering this carefully when choosing your provider, particularly if you feel medication may be part of your treatment.

If you would like support in choosing a provider or understanding your options, please contact the practice.