CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) REFERRALS
This document outlines the options, responsibilities (of patients/parents/guardians and GPs) and referral process for children and young persons ASD referrals, including the Right to Choose (RTC) referral process. It aims to provide clear guidance for patients/parents/guardians, ensuring an efficient and safe referral process.
Your child does not need an appointment with a GP to be referred for an ASD referral.
NHS Local Pathway
You can be referred within the NHS, and this will provide you with a local, comprehensive face-to-face assessment. Unfortunately, the waiting time for an NHS referral is currently more than 2 years. If you feel that this is too long to wait, you have the ‘Right to Choose’(RTC) an assessment from a provider in the private sector, under the NHS (info on the RTC pathway is in the next section under Right to Choose Pathway).
Providers:
Listed below are the providers that NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB have directly commissioned and hold a contract to deliver ASD services to residents with a Lancashire and South Cumbria registered GP.
Due diligence has been undertaken against each of these providers and monitoring against quality standards is in place. Assurances can be provided that each provider alignes to local agreements, including shared care guidance.
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals (Community Paediatrics) Chorley, South Ribble (CSR) and Greater Preston (GP)
Services commissioned: Age 0-5 ASD CSR, 0-8 ASD GP
Service information: Lancashire Teaching Hospital | Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Services (lancsteachinghospitals.nhs.uk)
Telephone number: 01772 215560/ 01772 777222
Email: None
Online: See link above
LSCFT (Learning disability and CAMHS) North Lancashire, Central and West Lancashire
Services commissioned: 8 years and over ASD
Service information: https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/services/service-finder-z/learning-disability
Telephone number: 01772 520 202
Email: None
Online: See link above
** Please note that this provider is temporarily unavailable. A solution is being explored so please check back in the future and we will update accordingly.**
Right to Choose Pathway
Right to Choose (RTC) allows patients to choose their preferred NHS-contracted provider for an ASD assessment. This process is designed to ensure referrals are handled quickly and consistently while maintaining patient safety and minimising administrative burdens. RTC providers are typically private companies with NHS contracts and are based all around the country.
GPs cannot select a provider on a patient’s behalf. You must research your options and choose a provider that meets your childs needs.
Exclusion Criteria for the RTC provision:
- If you're already receiving mental health care for the same condition.
- If you're under urgent (or crisis) care.
- If you're receiving highly secure psychiatric care.
- If your referral comes from your local health service commission (exceptions apply for cases from the Better Care Fund 'BCF' or Section 75).
- If you're a serving member of the armed forces.
- If you're already receiving in-patient care via the NHS, you may not qualify for the RTC provision.
Points to consider when choosing a RTC provider:
- Most RTC providers conduct assessments remotely or online only.
- Local commissioned providers within Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS may not accept diagnoses made by RTC and could require their own assessment process.
Providers:
The following providers are based in England and have been approved by the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) to deliver ADHD and/or ASD services under the Right to Choose policy.
Evolve Psychiatry
Services commissioned: ASD CYP
Service information: Autism Assessments for adults and children (evolvepsychology.org)
Telephone Number: 01423 637818
Email: enquiries@evolveps.co.uk
Online: Contact Us – Evolve Psychology (Online enquiry form)
Help4Psychology
Services commissioned: ASD CYP (Under 18 years old)
Service information: Right to Choose – Help for Psychology
Telephone Number: 01603 482503
Online: Contact Us – Help for Psychology
* Please note that this provider is unable to offer treatment for ADHD (only assessments) and this should be considered in deciding whether this is an appropriate provider for the patient seeking to be referred.
RTN Mental Health Solutions
Services commissioned: CYP ASD assessment
Service information: Diagnostic Assessments | RTN Diagnostics
Telephone number: 0333 772 1164
Email: enquiries@rtnmedical.com
Online: Right to Choose | RTN Diagnostics
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REFERRAL PROCESS
If you would like your child referring for an ASD assessment, please follow the process below.
No GP appointment is needed.
Print out the form (age appropriate for your child) and ensure it is completed fully.
Once completed, please send them to the secretary email blmcsecretaries@nhs.net with the following information:
Name
Date of Birth
Contact number (parent or guardian)
Email address (parent or guardian)
Chosen provider and which speciality (ADHD or ASD) including RTC pathway or local provider pathway
** Specific providers may require additional details, they will request this from you directly once they receive the referral from us. This may require duplicate completion of forms **
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By opting for a RTC referral, you understand and accept the following:
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Most RTC providers operate remotely and conduct online assessments.
- Your RTC provider may ask your GP to take over your ongoing care (this is called a Shared Care Agreement between the service provider and your GP practice). This is reviewed by your GP on a case-to-case basis. Your GP does not have to agree to this request. If a shared care agreement is accepted by your GP, you may require ongoing annual physical health monitoring.
- If a RTC provider ceases trading or loses its NHS contract, continued care may be suddenly discontinued. It is not the GP’s responsibility to automatically take over your care.
Note:
The information given above has been provided by the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (LSC ICB)
Useful Links: