Your 2025 Update on NHS ADHD Assessment Times

Waiting times for an NHS ADHD assessment remain alarmingly long, with some patients facing waits of up to 10 years. This can be very discouraging and results in many children and young people with special educational needs not have the necessary support in place to meet their needs. 

In this article we will provide average waiting times to get an NHS ADHD assessment across the UK and explain the different options available. 

NHS Waiting times for an assessment in different regions across the UK

Waiting times vary greatly in different regions with waiting times ranging from 12 weeks to over 10 years. Demand continues to rise sharply, and while some areas are working to shorten delays, others are facing overwhelming backlogs.

Children’s ADHD Assessment Waiting Times

In some regions, children are seen quickly in just a few weeks. But in many areas, long delays are the norm. Here are some estimates for the waiting times:

• South London & Maudsley NHS Trust: ~5 weeks

• Barnsley: ~5 weeks

• Devon: Currently seeing referrals from July 2021 (a wait of 2.5+ years)

• Surrey: Reported waits of 2 years and 25 weeks

• Sussex: Children waiting over 5 years

• Belfast: Over 1,000 children waiting; the longest wait is 347 weeks (over 6.5 years)

In some parts of Northern Ireland, children wait up to 52 times longer than in London. These delays can seriously impact children’s mental health, education, and access to vital support services.

Adult ADHD Assessment Waiting Times

Adults seeking an NHS ADHD diagnosis also face long delays

• Dorset Healthcare: ~12 weeks

• Central & North West London NHS Trust (CNWL): Waiting list closed in 2023; existing patients face waits of 3+ years

• Hywel Dda (Wales): Longest wait recorded is 443 weeks (over 8.5 years)

• Herefordshire & Worcestershire: Estimated wait of 550 weeks (over 10 years)

• Leeds: Referrals paused; current waiting times can exceeds 10 years

A 2024 report found that over 549,000 people in England were waiting for an ADHD assessment. Around 144,000 had already been waiting more than 2 years.

What’s Behind the Delays?

One of the main reasons for long NHS ADHD assessment waiting times is a sharp rise in demand. In recent years, public awareness of ADHD has increased significantly, with more people recognising symptoms and seeking a diagnosis, both for themselves and their children.

A contributor to this rise is the Right to Choose policy, introduced in England in 2018. Under this policy, patients can ask their GP to refer them to any eligible provider offering NHS-funded care, including some private clinics. This route often provides faster access than local NHS services and has helped many people avoid multi-year waits.

However, as awareness of Right to Choose has grown, so has the number of people using it. While it has helped ease pressure in some areas, it has also revealed just how overstretched many local NHS services are, and in some cases, even alternative providers are now facing backlogs due to the surge in referrals.

Private ADHD assessments 

For those unable or unwilling to wait, private ADHD assessments offer a faster route to diagnosis and care. The private ADHD sector has expanded significantly in response to the ongoing NHS backlog. Waiting times range from a few days to several weeks, a stark contrast to the NHS service. Private services also tend to offer greater flexibility and more personalised care. 

At Mentalwell, we recognise the barriers that long waiting times create. That’s why we provide efficient care without compromising on the quality of service and expertise. All assessments are carried out by qualified psychiatrists with experience in diagnosing and managing ADHD. Our online booking system allows for next-day appointments, and if eligible, treatment can begin within a week of your assessment. Not only that but it is all from the comfort of your own home.

In summary 

NHS ADHD assessment waiting times remain a serious concern across the UK, with some areas facing delays of several years. These extended waits can significantly impact children’s development and adults’ daily lives by delaying access to necessary support and treatment. While the Right to Choose policy has helped some people access quicker assessments through alternative providers, growing demand means many local services remain overwhelmed.

Awareness of these challenges is essential for those seeking an assessment, enabling better navigation of available options and advocating for timely care. Addressing these delays requires continued investment and improvement in NHS services to meet the needs of all individuals affected by ADHD.