Right to Choose 'destabilising' ADHD care: GPs demand reform amid safety concerns 

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By Emma Wilkinson

With NHS waiting times for ADHD diagnosis measured in years, Viola Levy was among the many thousands of patients opting to be referred to a private provider through the ‘Right to Choose’ framework.

She selected one claiming the shortest waiting times in the country, but once diagnosed and on medication, she says they became “virtually unreachable”.

Struggling with severe anxiety and depression and with a young child to care for, she was unable to get through to anyone at the service. Finally at a routine appointment she outlined the state of her mental health and asked if they had an emergency contact number – she was told to call 999.

Later Levy, from London, realised they had made a dosage error on her shared care notes with the GP who explained the provider would have to correct the mistake but again she could not get anyone on the phone.

“They won't respond to emails, and I'm running out of medication,” she says. “Reviews online show patients having the same experience as me.”