NHS services for adult ADHD face crisis as waiting lists and access restrictions hit breaking point

Specialist NHS services for adults with ADHD across England are struggling to cope with rising demand, leading many to halt or tighten access, leaving thousands in limbo amid calls for urgent reform.

Specialist NHS services for adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) across England are increasingly unable to meet demand, with many closing their waiting lists to new patients or introducing stringent referral criteria. A BBC investigation has identified at least 15 areas that have halted referrals entirely, while another 31 have tightened access, leaving thousands of patients caught in limbo.

ADHD affects how the brain works, typically causing impulsivity and difficulties with attention. It is estimated to affect 5% of children and around 3-4% of adults, although many remain undiagnosed. Diagnosis and subsequent treatment, which can include medication and psychological support, can be life-changing, yet NHS data shows that average waiting times after joining a list can stretch to eight years. Now, with many services restricting entry to these waiting lists, patients face even longer delays or no access at all.

A poignant example comes from Louise Nichols in Derbyshire, who suspects she has ADHD and has struggled with daily functioning for years. Placed on a waiting list at a neighbouring trust, her referral was ultimately removed when the service ceased assessing people outside its catchment due to overwhelming demand. “I can’t understand why a national health service isn’t across the whole nation,” she lamented, highlighting frustrations faced by many.

Professor Anita Thapar, chair of NHS England’s ADHD taskforce, described the situation as “disturbing,” warning of “enormous risks” from inadequate support. These include worsening mental health, substance misuse, unemployment and even interaction with the criminal justice system. Dr Jessica Eccles of the Royal College of Psychiatrists acknowledged that rising demand outstrips capacity, forcing difficult rationing decisions and unacceptable waiting delays.

The crisis is stark in places like Leeds, where the adult ADHD service recently suspended non-urgent referrals. Operating with a waiting list exceeding 4,500 people but capacity to assess just 16 monthly, the service was receiving roughly 170 new referrals each month. Dr Chris Hosker, medical director at Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, called it “unfair and unethical” to continue accepting referrals. The service is now prioritising patients with the greatest clinical needs and working with partners to redesign care pathways to meet demand.

In Coventry and Warwickshire, a similar bottleneck has led to a controversial policy suspending ADHD assessments for adults aged 25 and over, to prioritise over 7,500 younger people on waiting lists. The Integrated Care Board justified this decision by emphasising the greater impact of diagnosis in children, who benefit academically and socially. However, such rationing has sparked concern and legal threats, underscoring the difficult trade-offs services face.

Elsewhere, innovative approaches are emerging. Surrey’s local service, with some 11,000 adults waiting, is piloting training private GPs to carry out ADHD assessments and treatments, potentially broadening access while easing NHS pressures. The Combined Healthcare NHS Trust, which began its adult ADHD service in mid-2023, reported 1,926 referrals within 18 months but is struggling with average waits of 255 days to assessment and almost 200 days to diagnosis, currently unable to support those still on the waiting list.

Patients who have managed to gain support speak of profound improvements. Thirty-three-year-old Sam Stone from near Gloucester paid privately for diagnosis but had to return to the NHS for official confirmation. He described the system as a “cacophony of routes,” but said the diagnosis lifted a long-standing burden: “It’s massive, it’s huge,” he said.

The current situation reflects historic underinvestment and systemic challenges within the NHS’s ADHD services for adults. Professor Thapar’s forthcoming report, due this week, is expected to call for a comprehensive overhaul of ADHD care, aiming to address inequities and capacity shortfalls nationwide. For the thousands currently left waiting, such reforms cannot come soon enough.

📌 Reference Map:

• ^[1] (BBC News) – Paragraphs 1-6, 8, 10
• ^[2] (BBC News) – Paragraph 7
• ^[3] (Leeds and York Partnership NHS) – Paragraph 7
• ^[4] (Combined Healthcare NHS Trust) – Paragraph 9
• ^[5] (Leeds and York Partnership NHS) – Paragraph 7
• ^[6] (David Gray Hammond) – Paragraph 8

Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative presents recent developments in NHS adult ADHD services, including service closures and policy changes. The earliest known publication date of similar content is October 2024, with reports from Leeds Adult ADHD Service temporarily closing to new referrals. ([leedsandyorkpft.nhs.uk](https://www.leedsandyorkpft.nhs.uk/news/news-list/leeds-adult-adhd-service-temporarily-closes-to-non-urgent-new-referrals/?utm_source=openai)) The narrative includes updated data, such as the suspension of non-urgent referrals in Leeds and policy changes in Coventry and Warwickshire, indicating a high freshness score. However, the inclusion of earlier reports may suggest some recycled content. The narrative is based on a press release from the BBC, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. No earlier versions show different figures, dates, or quotes. The narrative includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.

Quotes check

Score:
9

Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from individuals such as Dr Chris Hosker and Dr Jessica Eccles. The earliest known usage of these quotes is from the BBC News article dated 2 days ago. ([feeds.bbci.co.uk](https://feeds.bbci.co.uk/news/articles/cqxegzvvreno?utm_source=openai)) No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating potentially original or exclusive content. No variations in quote wording were noted.

Source reliability

Score:
10

Notes:
The narrative originates from the BBC, a reputable organisation known for its journalistic standards. The individuals and organisations mentioned, such as Dr Chris Hosker and Dr Jessica Eccles, are verifiable online, lending credibility to the report.

Plausability check

Score:
9

Notes:
The narrative’s claims about service closures and policy changes in NHS adult ADHD services are corroborated by recent reports from reputable sources. ([feeds.bbci.co.uk](https://feeds.bbci.co.uk/news/articles/cqxegzvvreno?utm_source=openai)) The language and tone are consistent with typical corporate and official language. The structure is focused and relevant, with no excessive or off-topic detail. The tone is appropriately serious, matching the gravity of the subject matter.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The narrative presents recent and original information from a reputable source, with verifiable quotes and consistent language. While some recycled content is present, the inclusion of updated data and the credibility of the source support a high confidence in the assessment.