Specialist NHS services for adults seeking an ADHD assessment in England are shutting their doors to new referrals as unprecedented demand overwhelms clinics, a recent investigation has revealed.
A BBC analysis of Freedom of Information responses from 59 NHS providers found that 15 services have stopped adding adults to their waiting lists, with some regions pausing referrals entirely and others only accepting patients from specific geographic areas.
A further 31 services have introduced stricter eligibility rules, limiting who can access assessment and support.
Professor Anita Thapar, who chairs NHS England’s ADHD taskforce, described the findings as “disturbing” and warned of “enormous risks” to patients left without appropriate help. Her official report on the state of ADHD provision is due to be released on Thursday and is expected to call for significant reform across the system.
Eight Year Waits and Closed Lists
NHS figures already show that adults who make it onto a waiting list face average waits of around eight years for an assessment. The new findings suggest that for many, even joining a list is becoming increasingly difficult.
Among the areas highlighted:
- 15 trusts have paused full or partial referrals,
- In Cheshire, adult ADHD referrals have been closed since 2019,
- Coventry and Warwickshire ICB is facing potential legal action after restricting adult assessments to those under 25,
- 31 trusts are rationing access by age, severity or other criteria.
Patients who are refused access in some regions may be able to use the NHS “right to choose” pathway to seek an assessment elsewhere, including via some private providers who work with the NHS.
Some Areas Trying New Approaches
Despite the strain, a small number of services are introducing new models of care. In Surrey, where around 11,000 adults are awaiting assessment, a pilot programme is training private GPs to carry out ADHD assessments in an effort to reduce pressure on local NHS teams.
Why the Sudden Rise in Demand?
The demand for adult ADHD assessments has surged dramatically over the past decade. Prescriptions for ADHD medication in England have almost tripled since 2015, and NHS data shows ADHD was one of the most searched conditions on its website last year.
Experts say this is not because ADHD itself is becoming more common, but because it is being recognised more often.
Dr Ulrich Müller Sedgwick, ADHD lead at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said, “Nobody predicted how sharply demand would rise, especially in the last three years.”
ADHD was only formally recognised in adults by NICE 16 years ago. Many specialists argue that services are now playing catch up after decades of under diagnosis, particularly in adults who may have slipped through the system as children.
Professor Emily Simonoff, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, says the UK has significantly under recognised ADHD for years. Although she estimates that 5 to 7% of children may have ADHD, only 1 to 2% currently receive medication, well below expected levels.
What Is ADHD?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD, is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects the way the brain regulates attention, activity levels and impulsivity.
Common features include:
- Difficulty concentrating or staying organised,
- Impulsiveness,
- Restlessness,
- Challenges with emotional regulation,
ADHD affects an estimated 5% of children and 3 to 4% of adults in the UK, although many adults remain undiagnosed until later in life. Treatment usually involves medication, behavioural strategies, psychological therapy, or a combination of approaches.
Potential Consequences of Delayed Support
Untreated ADHD has been linked to difficulties with education, employment, finances, relationships and mental health. Higher rates of substance misuse, driving accidents and involvement with the criminal justice system have also been observed among people with undiagnosed ADHD.
However, specialists emphasise that timely diagnosis and treatment can transform lives.
“I’ve seen patients return to work, re engage with education and rebuild family relationships,” Dr Müller Sedgwick said. “Good support makes a huge difference.”
New Treatments on the Horizon
Research is underway into alternative treatments, including brain stimulation approaches delivered via wearable devices. Early findings are promising, but clinical trials are ongoing, and these technologies are not yet available through the NHS.
A System Under Strain
Health policy experts describe the current surge in demand as a temporary “hump”, driven by rising awareness and long standing unmet need. They predict that once services work through the backlog and improve early recognition in children, pressure on adult services may ease, though not quickly.
Your Views
Have you struggled to access an ADHD assessment or treatment?
Have long waiting times affected you or your family?
Were you diagnosed as an adult, or are you still waiting?
We’d like to hear your experiences. Please email us at Editor@ConservativePost.co.uk
This article is for information only and is not intended to diagnose ADHD or any other condition. Always seek advice from your GP or a qualified health professional if you have concerns about your health.
