Right to choose - NAS helpline closed, IPSEA helpline closed, help me please!

[Tuesday10Dec]

Hello
I am trying to get a second opinion for an ASD diagnosis for my son. The first time around they didn't contact his childminder who's had concerns that he may be autistic and have adhd and the doctor was really nasty to me.
Our GP has agreed to do a new referral but he was quite snippy about the whole thing. He also said that Right to Choose is for within NHS settings "NOT PRIVATE". (The GP has also emailed and asked me for the email address for paediatrics the new hospital, which is a bit weird??)
I have since seen other people saying they used right to choose to get a diagnosis from a private provider. Is this correct? I am so confused by I all.
I tried to call the national autistic society helpline but there is a message saying they've had to close it.
Then I called IPSEA and their helpline is also closed; you can't request a callback from their helpline either.

If anyone can advise i would be very grateful, either on what right to choose actually is and isn't, and also whether there are any helplines which are currently taking calls
Thanks!! X

Right to Choose doesn’t allow you to choose to have an assessment via any private provider. It allows patients to choose to be referred to any qualifying provider i.e. a provider who undertakes that particular work for the NHS. Some private providers are commissioned by at least one ICB to provide NHS ASD assessments so referrals to those providers via RTC are possible.

IPSEA’s call in helpline will reopen tomorrow morning at 9.30am. Alternatively, you can keep checking the bookable slots. Although you have to persevere for both because they are busy.

Thanks for your reply... I have found a provider who say they take Right to Choose patients. They have a very short wait time. They are quite near to me but a different NHS area I think. So would they be able to do the assessment for my son? X

Thanks for letting me know about the helpline; am so stressed and all over the place that when I heard 'the helpline is closed' I panicked and thought it was closed for good 🥴

Yes, you can request a referral to the provider you have found if they undertake NHS assessments via RTC.

IPSEA definitely hasn’t closed.

And (sorry for all the stupid questions!) do you only do one right to choose at a time? I'm just thinking of waiting lists, would it be sensible to call around and see who's got the shortest waiting list time? Or can you go to multiple providers? Sorry my head's all over the place today and I am finding this (along with other stuff going on) extremely overwhelming
Thanks x

You don’t have to apologise for asking questions!

The GP is unlikely to refer to multiple providers at once. If your focus is waiting times, it is best to ask the providers about their waits.

Thanks- I feel absolutely terrible at the moment due to various factors (parents unwell, other DC with additional needs) and the level of stress is unbelievable!

I think I will call around the private providers and see what their waiting times are like. My GP seemed really annoyed that I asked for / knew what RTC was, so I hope he will be agreeable to me requesting one of the private ones who on their website say they have shorter waiting lists. But then I guess it is my right... To Choose! Or can he just say no he will only refer to the nearest NHS hospitals?! I got the impression he doesn't like the private sector very much :S

Thanks x

RTC is set out in the NHS Constitution, so if the GP agrees a referral is clinically appropriate, he can’t refuse to refer under RTC.

Thank you so much for clarifying x

Ipsea helpline is closed again today 😭 is there a list anywhere of places which accept right to choose? I have called a few but the waiting time is like 9 - 12 months. I was expecting it to be shorter. Or is this normal? I have no idea what type of timeframe to expect. Or indeed who are better than others. Thanks x

I’m not sure there is a list or not. Many providers have long waiting lists now.

IPSEA’s call in helpline was open 9.30-2.30 today. It will be back open Tuesday 9.30-2.30.

I rang Ipsea today and it rang but ended the call as all the advisors are busy. So seems to be open today 😊