FOI 2026/1609

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I am requesting the following information regarding the commissioning and delivery of ADHD and autism assessments via the NHS Right to Choose pathway in your Integrated Care Board (ICB) area.

Please provide the most recent available data (as of [insert current date, e.g., February 2026], or the latest reported figures if more recent data is unavailable).

1. Current waiting lists / demand for assessments:
   1. The total number of people currently waiting for an adult (18+) ADHD assessment via NHS-commissioned services (including both local NHS pathways and Right to Choose providers).
   2. The total number of people currently waiting for an adult (18+) autism assessment via NHS-commissioned services (including both local NHS pathways and Right to Choose providers).
   3. If available separately: the number of people waiting specifically via Right to Choose referrals (or an estimate/indication of the proportion).
   4. The same information as above, but for children and young people (under 18), if your ICB commissions or holds data for neurodevelopmental assessments in that age group via Right to Choose.
   5. Median and longest reported waiting times (in weeks or months) for adult ADHD and adult autism assessments in your area (via any NHS-funded route, including Right to Choose).
2. Indicative Activity Plans (IAPs) or activity limits:
   1. Details of any current Indicative Activity Plans (IAPs), activity caps, funding limits, or restrictions applied to Right to Choose providers for adult ADHD and/or autism assessments in the current financial year (or most recent period).
   2. The total number of assessments (or indicative activity volume) allocated or agreed for Right to Choose providers for adult ADHD and adult autism in the current financial year.
   3. Any planned changes to IAPs, caps, or commissioning for the next financial year.
3. Commissioning of new providers:
   1. The name(s), job title(s), and direct email address(es) (or team inbox if individual contact is not available) of the person(s) or team responsible for commissioning / procuring new or additional providers for ADHD and/or autism assessment services under the Right to Choose framework.
   2. Any current open procurement/framework opportunities, expressions of interest, or processes for approving new Right to Choose providers for adult ADHD and/or autism assessments.
   3. If no such process is currently open, the anticipated timeline for the next review or commissioning round for additional providers.

1. Current waiting lists / demand for assessments:

1. NHS Greater Manchester (NHS GM) does not hold this information, in line with section 16 of the Freedom of Information Act, please see list at end of FOI for providers who will need to be contacted to identify this information to assist you.
2. Please refer to the response to question 1a.
3. Please refer to the response to question 1a.
4. Please refer to the response to question 1a.
5. Please refer to the response to question 1a.

2. Indicative Activity Plans (IAPs) or activity limits:

a. The information you have requested relates to indicative activity plans that have previously been issued to providers as part of NHS GMs commissioning and contractual arrangements. Although these plans have been shared operationally, they contain detailed activity volumes, financial assumptions and demand projections linked to identifiable providers and service lines.

NHS GM considers that this information is commercially sensitive and exempt from disclosure under Section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Disclosure would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of NHS GM and relevant providers, as the plans form part of ongoing contractual management, financial planning and future commissioning considerations.

Section 43 is a qualified exemption and the ICB has therefore considered the public interest test.

Factors in Favour of Disclosure

There is an inherent public interest in ensuring that there is openness and transparency in the spending of public money. Transparency is likely to increase confidence in procurement processes and the purchasing decisions made by NHS GM. It also enables the public to understand whether NHS GM is getting value for money from its purchasing decisions.

Factors in Favour of Non-Disclosure

However, we believe that disclosure would likely prejudice the current or future negotiating capabilities of NHS GM. This information includes, but is not limited to, detailed pricing mechanisms, activity assumptions, service delivery models, and operational schedules. Disclosure would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of the providers in a competitive healthcare market and the negotiating capabilities of NHS GM, particularly in relation to future commissioning, negotiation and value-for-money considerations.

Pricing information could be used to offer lower prices during tendering exercises, based on the perceived amount that the NHS GM is willing to pay for similar services. While lower costs may appear to be in the public interest, this would not be the case if the competitor was to offer an unrealistic price that they could not deliver in practice. This could lead to problems with the running of the service, which would be contrary to the public interest as it will have to be funded from the public purse.

Balancing Test

While there is a clear public interest in transparency around commissioning intentions and the use of public funds, there is also a strong public interest in protecting NHS GM’s ability to secure best value and maintain fair and effective contractual arrangements. On balance, the ICB considers that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

For these reasons, the requested information is withheld under Section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

b. As above

c. As above

3. Commissioning of new providers:

a. Under the NHS Right to Choose framework, patients who meet the relevant criteria may choose to be referred to any clinically appropriate provider that holds a qualifying NHS Standard Contract for the service in question. These providers are not commissioned or procured by NHS GM specifically for the purposes of Right to Choose. As such, NHS GM does not operate a procurement process for “new or additional” Right to Choose providers for ADHD and/or autism assessment services.

NHS GM is responsible for ensuring that appropriate referral pathways are in place and that qualifying providers hold the necessary contractual arrangements; however, there is no designated individual or team responsible for commissioning or procuring providers specifically under the Right to Choose framework.

For general enquiries relating to commissioning arrangements for ADHD and autism services, please contact NHS GM Contracts and Commissioning Team via the following mailbox: nhsgm.gm.icp@nhs.net

To note NHS GM is compliant with the NHS Right to Choose framework, where providers are entitled to seek accreditation to accept ADHD and/or autism assessment referrals. This is an open process and is currently operational. This is currently lead by Chris Pimlott (Head of Strategic MH Commissioning) and applications can be made to nhsgm.gmpag@nhs.net

b. As above

c. As above, noting there is no completion time for the accreditation process, it remains live.