For healthcare professionals
Find out more about how our referral process works, who it’s for and how we make it easy for you and safe and secure for your patients.
A Trusted Partner Since 2013
What you’ll need
We know your time is valuable. That’s why we’ve streamlined our referral process to make it as easy as possible for GPs.
Here’s what you will need:
Your patient’s NHS Number
To ensure accurate tracking and secure data handling.
Contact Details
Patient’s phone number and email address
Self-Report Questionnaire
Before submitting, please ensure your patient completes the appropriate form for ADHD or autism. Forms are available below for download.
Why Healios?
Our commitment is to make referrals smooth, transparent, and reliable for GPs. Here’s why Healios is the trusted choice for RTC referrals in neurodevelopmental care:
- NICE-Compliant Care: All Healios assessment services follow NICE guidelines, so you can trust that patients receive the highest standards of care.
- Timely Access: With our experienced multidisciplinary clinical team, we are well placed to support signification reduction in waiting times, enabling your patients access care faster and freeing up valuable NHS resources.
- Comprehensive, Holistic Support: We provide more than just assessments—our holistic needs-led approach means patients receive continued support, from diagnosis to management, making it easier for you to refer with confidence.
How does it work?
Our goal is to ensure you are able to refer your patients, in a clear, efficient and simple way, without unnecessary steps or duplication.
Read on to see how the process works
Your patient wants to be referred to Healios
Ask your patient to fill in a self-referral form and give it to you. Once they’ve done this, you can proceed to the next step.
If your patient does not have a self-referral form you can download one here.
We can’t process a referral without a completed self-referral form.
Make the referral
Check that Healios is suitable for your patient
Click here to find out more about our suitability criteria.
Complete our referral process
You can find out more about our suitability criteria here.
The enrolment process starts
Once you’ve submitted the referral a number of actions will happen.
Confirmation
We’ll email you to let you know that your referral has been received and is being processed.
Contacting your patient
We’ll get in touch with your patient and ask them to confirm the referral and provide us with any additional information we may need.
We’ll review the referral
It goes without saying that we treat all referrals with diligence and sensitivity.
Review
All referrals are reviewed by our clinical team
Pre-assessment
We’ll contact your patient and ask them to complete one or more pre-assessment questionnaires.
Acceptance
When we’ve completed our review we’ll let you know whether we have been able to accept your referral.
Wait list
Once we’ve completed our review, accepted the referral and received any necessary patient questionnaires your patient will join our wait list.
Our ongoing care begins
Constant contact
We’ll communicate with you and your patient throughout their journey with Healios
Issue management
If we’re unable to contact your patient we’ll get in touch with you right away.
More stuff
I feel we need to say a bit more about what ongoing care means.
Our Commitment
For over a decade, Healios has led the way in partnership with the NHS to deliver specialist neurodevelopmental and mental health care. Our experience and dedication to quality support NHS goals of providing comprehensive, high-standard care with minimal disruption.
Here’s our commitment:
- Communication: Regular updates ensure you stay informed on each patient’s service status.
- Shared Care Agreements: If required, we ensure all shared care agreements are clearly structured and communicated directly with you.
- Simplicity: We keep the onboarding process simple and focused, making sure we can support your patients in a way that fits their needs.
Download Your
GP Starter-Pack
FAQs
How long is the Right to Choose waiting list?
Our waiting time for new referrals is 30 weeks (seven months). This is for new referrals and those received after 1st January 2024. If your GP submitted your referral before then, we will contact you soon. We kindly ask that you wait to be contacted by a member of our team.
Are you an eligible Right to Choose provider?
Yes, we hold NHS standard contracts across England to provide NHS Right to Choose autism assessments to adults, children, and young people, and ADHD assessments to adults.
I'm already on a waiting list for an NHS assessment. Can I change it to Right to Choose so I can be seen sooner?
Yes, as long as your GP agrees to change the referral to a Right to Choose ADHD assessment or Right to Choose autism assessment. If you would like to do this, please get in touch with us on …
Who is eligible under Right to Choose?
If your GP surgery is registered in England and your GP needs to refer you to a consultant or specialist in mental health, you have the legal right to choose your mental health service provider.
However, you do not have the right to choose if:
- You require emergency treatment
- You are currently serving a prison sentence, or if you’re on temporary release
- You are detained in prescribed accommodation
- You serve in the armed forces
- You have already received care and treatment for the condition
- You are detained in a secure hospital environment
- You are detained in a hospital under the Mental Health Act of 1983
We currently offer Right to Choose autism assessments for adults, children, and young people, and ADHD assessments to adults.
Have you received my Right to Choose referral?
To check on the status of a Right to Choose referral, please email … with your name and the details of your GP. We will investigate and respond to you in due course.
I have another question about Right to Choose. How can I speak to someone?
Please use our referral form for all Right to Choose referrals. For anything else, please email …
Why didn't my GP offer me a Right to Choose assessment?
Many GPs are not aware of Right to Choose yet. The NHS has published a helpful framework that explains everything they need to know. Try sharing this link with them so they are fully informed: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-choice-framework
Right to Choose is a legal right. If you’re not offered a choice at the point of referral, ask your doctor why and say you wish to go explore your options.
What happens after my assessment?
You will have a feedback appointment where your clinician will discuss the assessment outcome and their clinical decisions. You will then receive your clinical report, which can also be sent to your GP.
Where can I find more information about Right to Choose?
For more detailed information about your rights and choices within the NHS, please visit the NHS website: Your Choices in the NHS.
If you have further questions or need additional information about your Right to Choose, you can email the Your Choice Team at [email protected]. They are available to help you understand your options and guide you through the process.
Your local ICB can also provide further information and assistance. They oversee the planning and commissioning of healthcare services in your area and can help ensure you receive the care you need. Click here to find the contact details for your local ICB.