NHS faces criticism as 550,000 await ADHD assessments

Campaigners have accused the NHS of failing to adequately address Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) care, as new figures reveal that 550,000 individuals in England are currently waiting for assessments. Estimates suggest that up to 2.5 million people in the country may have ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms such as impulsiveness, disorganization, and difficulty focusing.

The data, recently released by the NHS, shows that 3-4% of adults and 5% of children and young people in England could be affected by this condition. Alarmingly, of the 549,000 individuals waiting for an ADHD assessment, 144,000 have been in this queue for approximately two years. This represents a significant backlog in the assessment process, raising concerns about the impact on those affected.

Henry Shelford, chief executive of ADHD UK, criticized the NHS for what he described as a ‘widely failing system.’ He pointed out that the NHS has taken 25 years to publish population estimates for ADHD, despite guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) being established in 2000. Shelford stated, ‘This failure has meant ruined lives, wrecked families, and lost lives.’ He emphasized that ADHD services are not included in the government’s 18-week waiting list target and are not counted in the expansion of mental health services, leading to inadequate support for individuals with ADHD.

Louise Ansari, chief executive of Healthwatch England, echoed these concerns, highlighting that many people with ADHD may go without necessary support due to long wait times for assessments. She noted that these delays discourage individuals from seeking help and complicate the experience for those already in the waiting process. Ansari called for improvements in data collection to better understand the demands on ADHD care and the reasons behind the long wait times.

The NHS has acknowledged the issue, stating that patients are experiencing excessively long waits for ADHD assessments and diagnoses. In response, the NHS has launched an independent task force to investigate the challenges facing ADHD services and to manage the increasing number of referrals. This task force aims to gather input from individuals with lived experiences and experts in the field to develop long-term solutions for patients.

The rising demand for ADHD assessments is further illustrated by the increase in prescriptions for ADHD medications, which have grown by 18% annually since the pandemic. In 2019-20, prescriptions stood at about 25 per 1,000 people, which has since risen to 42 per 1,000 by 2023-24.

The analysis also highlighted disparities in ADHD prescription rates linked to ethnicity and socioeconomic factors. Regions like the south-east and north-west of England, which have higher white populations, show greater prescription numbers compared to more ethnically diverse areas like the Midlands and London.

As the NHS grapples with this growing demand for ADHD services, the urgent need for comprehensive care and timely assessments remains a pressing issue for many individuals and families affected by this condition.