NHS & neurodevelopmental
Referral & waiting-list toolkit.
“There is a long wait” and “this individual case has been reviewed for clinical priority” are not necessarily the same question. Map the pathway before deciding what needs challenging.
This tool helps organise a referral and the questions around it. It does not decide whether a child meets diagnostic criteria, whether an assessment is clinically urgent or which provider is clinically appropriate.
1. Map the referral
| Referral type | |
|---|---|
| Date referral made | |
| Referrer | |
| Provider / service holding referral | |
| ICB / commissioner | |
| Referral accepted? | |
| Current estimated wait / position | |
| Any review / prioritisation decision? |
2. What decision are you actually dealing with?
Administrative / pathway issue
Referral not received, incorrect route, provider eligibility, missing paperwork, commissioning restriction, queue position or unclear ownership.
Clinical decision
A clinician/service has assessed information and decided whether the individual case meets criteria for clinical prioritisation or another clinical action.
Decision / problem in this case
3. Evidence relevant to the decision
| Functional issue / risk | Current impact | Professional who knows | Existing evidence | Missing evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
4. Focused questions
- Who currently holds the referral?
- What decision has been made, by whom and on what date?
- Is the problem a general waiting-time issue or an individual prioritisation decision?
- If a clinical review occurred, what information was available to the reviewer?
- If additional professional evidence can be considered, what is the route for submitting it?
- If the barrier is commissioning/capacity rather than clinical priority, who controls that issue?
- Will changing route/provider affect queue position or require a fresh referral? Obtain provider-specific confirmation rather than assuming.
5. Pathway contact log
| Date | Organisation | Person / team | Question | Answer / decision | Next action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sources & review
Last reviewed: 16 August 2026. This resource is practical information for England, not legal or clinical advice. Check the linked source if your situation turns on a deadline, appeal right or legal interpretation.
NHS — how to access mental health services / patient choiceNHS England — patient choice guidanceUse this with
Keep the evidence connected to the next action.
Need the wider pathway guide?
Read our autism & ADHD referral/assessment pathway guidance.