ADHD assessment waiting times in England

ADHD assessment waiting times refer to how long people typically wait for an NHS assessment after being referred for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Waiting times vary significantly across England and depend on local NHS services, referral pathways and available capacity.

This page provides independent, factual information about NHS ADHD assessment waiting times in England, based on published NHS data and reports. It explains how the referral process works, typical waiting time ranges, and why waiting times differ depending on where people live.

What is an ADHD assessment?

An ADHD assessment is a specialist clinical evaluation used to determine whether someone meets the diagnostic criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Assessments are carried out by trained healthcare professionals and may involve interviews, questionnaires and review of medical or developmental history.

ADHD assessments are available for both children and adults through the NHS. Access to assessment usually begins with a referral from a GP, school, or another healthcare professional.

This website does not provide medical advice or diagnostic guidance. If you have concerns about ADHD, you should speak to a qualified healthcare professional.

How NHS ADHD referral pathways work

In England, NHS ADHD services are commissioned and delivered locally. This means referral pathways and service availability can differ between areas.

In general, the process involves:

• An initial referral, often made by a GP or other healthcare professional
• Assessment by a specialist ADHD service
• Ongoing support or treatment if a diagnosis is made

There are separate NHS pathways for:

• Adult ADHD services
• Children and young people's ADHD services

Because services are commissioned locally by Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), access and waiting times can vary widely between regions.

Typical NHS ADHD assessment waiting times

Published NHS reports and data indicate that ADHD assessment waiting times in England can be very long, particularly for adults.

In many areas:

• Adult ADHD assessment waiting times can extend for several years
• Children and young people's ADHD assessment waiting times are often shorter but may still exceed one year in some regions

Waiting times are not fixed and can change over time. Factors such as referral volumes, staffing levels and local service capacity all influence how long people wait.

The figures discussed on this site are based on published NHS data and reports. Actual waiting times for individuals may vary depending on clinical priority and local circumstances.

Why ADHD waiting times vary by area

ADHD assessment waiting times differ across England for several reasons, including:

• Differences in how local services are commissioned
• Availability of specialist clinicians
• Demand for ADHD assessments in a given area
• Historical backlogs and service pressures

Because NHS ADHD services are managed locally, some areas experience significantly longer waiting times than others. This variation is one of the main reasons people search for ADHD waiting times by town or region.

ADHD waiting times by town and area

ADHD assessment waiting times are not the same everywhere. Local NHS services may have very different waiting lists depending on demand and capacity.

This website provides town-specific pages showing estimated ADHD assessment waiting times based on published NHS data, helping users understand how waiting times vary across England.

Browse ADHD assessment waiting times by county and town

Select a county to view available towns. Town pages include published diagnostics data and service guidance.

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