ADHD Diagnosis Wait Times Across the UK
The NICE Guidelines state that no one should wait longer than three months between being referred for an ADHD assessment and being seen. However, overwhelming media coverage and statistics paint a very different picture across the UK. We examined some of the current wait times, and the findings are alarming.
Leeds and York NHS Trust
The Leeds and York NHS website recently reported receiving over 195 referrals per month, far exceeding their capacity. As of January 2024, approximately 4,000 people were on the waiting list. Those currently being assessed joined the list in January 2021,meaning they have waited three years.
The trust further warns:
“This waiting period is accurate for those at the front of the queue but will be several years longer for those referred more recently. Due to the gap between demand and capacity, this wait time is expected to increase.”
The delays don’t end at diagnosis. As of January 2024, approximately 290 people were waiting to start ADHD medication. Those currently being booked have waited since December 2021 which is a staggering two years and four months between diagnosis and treatment.
Devon NHS Trust
Updated in February 2024, the Devon NHS website states they are now assessing people referred in July 2021—a wait of two years and seven months. While this is slightly better than Leeds and York, it still falls far short of recommended standards.
For those needing medication, the wait time is currently 18 months, with patients referred in October 2022 now being seen.
Central and Northwest London NHS Trust
Since November 2023, the Central and Northwest London NHS Trust has been forced to close their waiting list due to overwhelming demand. Their current wait time exceeds three years for those who managed to join before it was shut.
Additional Reports
The BBC reported in March 2023 that ADHD assessments could take:
- Over five years in Sussex
- Up to four years in Surrey
More recently, the BBC stated, “NHS cannot meet autism or ADHD demand,” highlighting that:
- 24% of patients face waits of one to two years for ADHD assessments.
- ADHD medication prescriptions have risen 51% since 2019.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Assessments: Another Crisis
The demand for ASD assessments is just as concerning. Research suggests 50-70% of individuals diagnosed with ASD also have ADHD. NHS figures show that 172,000 adults and children are currently waiting for an ASD assessment—the highest number ever recorded.
The situation is only worsening. A recent report, “A Country That Works for All Children and Young People,” found that since COVID-19, the number of children waiting for an autism assessment has skyrocketed by 306%.
In Devon, as of February 2024, the wait time for an ASD assessment is five years and six months.
NHS data from September 2023 showed 157,809 people on the ASD assessment waiting list, up from 143,119 in June 2023.
Alarmingly, the number of diagnoses dropped by a third year-over-year, from 1,058 in September 2022 to just 754 in September 2023, despite a 27% increase in referrals.
The NICE guideline of a three-month referral-to-assessment timeframe is nowhere near being met, with only 6.4% of patients being seen within 13 weeks as of September 2023.
The Impact: Lives on Hold
The surge in ADHD and ASD referrals has overwhelmed NHS services, exacerbated by increased awareness, staffing shortages, the pandemic, and chronic underfunding.
These delays have severe consequences:
- Children are left struggling in school without proper support.
- Adults face daily challenges without access to treatment.
- Mental health deteriorates, leading to further complications.
Why We Started The ADHD Clinic
We opened The ADHD Clinic to ensure people receive timely ADHD assessments from highly experienced specialists and our waiting times are currently as follows;
- Adult ADHD diagnoses received within 4-8 weeks including multidisciplinary assessments by psychologists and psychiatrists for a holistic diagnosis
- Child ADHD diagnoses received within up to 8 – 10 weeks
- Fast-track ASD assessment options
No one should have to wait years for the help they need. We are committed to providing accessible, high-quality care within the recommended timeframe.
*Wait times correct at time of writing but subject to change.
