Right to Choose

At Chapelfield Medical Centre we want to ensure you receive the best possible care and treatment that meets your needs and preferences. That's why we're pleased to inform you about your "Right to Choose" when it comes to your NHS referrals for healthcare services outside of Barnsley. The following is essential information on how you can make an informed decision about your care.

The "Right to Choose" is a valuable NHS initiative that allows you, as a patient, to decide where you would like to receive treatment or care, particularly when you've been referred by your GP or another healthcare professional. This initiative empowers you to have a say in your healthcare journey.

Right To Choose (ADHD) - Psychiatry-UK

1. Choice of Provider:

You can choose a healthcare provider or hospital, both within and outside of Barnsley, that best suits your needs. This includes NHS and private providers, if they offer the necessary services and meet NHS quality standards.

2. Shorter Waiting Times:

Barnsley ADHD waiting times are currently in excess of a couple of years. Exercising your right to choose may lead to quicker access to care in an alternative location.

3. Personal Preferences:

You can consider factors such as location, reputation, and the facilities provided by the chosen healthcare provider, ensuring your comfort and convenience during treatment.

If you are prescribed medication by a non–Barnsley based healthcare provider, it is essential to be aware of the following:

1. Prescribing Guidance:

Due to local prescribing guidance locally as a surgery we cannot provide shared care with right to choose providers. Therefore, your medication will not be prescribed for you by the practice.

2. In-Person Assessments:

For certain medications or treatments, you may be required to attend a clinic outside of Barnsley frequently for observations (heart rate, blood pressure, heart tracings etc), blood tests, or other monitoring requirements.  Whilst we appreciate this is often ‘easier’ to be done locally, Chapelfield does not have capacity, additional administrative time, or any attached funding to be offering these appointments.

3. Annual Review:

Some conditions or medications like ADHD medications require an annual review to assess the effectiveness and safety of your medication. If these are not prescribed through by the local NHS provider you will need to potentially travel for this to occur and for your medication to be continued. 

Regrettably, there have been cases in which individuals opted for an assessment under the Right to Choose, such as an ADHD assessment, and the provider was not able to prescribe or provide further management options.  This potentially may mean that you would not be eligible for referral to the NHS provider locally.

• Travel and Transportation: Think about how you will travel to the chosen location.
• Accommodation: If your treatment requires an overnight stay, consider where you will stay and whether the provider offers accommodation options.
• Frequency of appointments: Think about how often you will travel to the chosen location.

If you are happy to proceed and have chosen the location, you wish to be referred to please follow the process that is outlined on the right to choose website ensuring that you complete the ASRS form on the website.

We also need a brief statement from yourself explaining your reasons for requiring an ADHD assessment.

We are committed to supporting you in making the best decisions for your healthcare journey. Your well-being is our priority, and we are here to assist you every step of the way.