NHS bodies in England have imposed minimum two-year waits for ADHD and autism assessments, as sharp rises in referrals leave nearly 1 million people on ADHD waiting lists and around 295,000 awaiting autism assessment.
Key facts
- NHS boards in England have imposed a minimum two-year wait for ADHD and autism assessments.
- Nearly 1 million people in England are on ADHD waiting lists.
- The average wait for ADHD assessment is already over a year, at 64 weeks.
- About 295,000 people are awaiting an autism assessment.
- Referrals for clinical assessments have risen sharply over the past six years.
NHS boards in England have imposed minimum two-year waiting times for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism assessments, according to the Guardian. The move reflects a health service struggling to keep pace with major shifts in the understanding of, and social attitudes towards, these conditions.
The Guardian reports that sharp rises in referrals for clinical assessments over the past six years have driven demand well beyond current capacity. Nearly 1 million people in England are now on ADHD waiting lists, while about 295,000 people are awaiting an autism assessment.
Even before the two-year minimums, waits were already lengthy. The average wait for an ADHD assessment stands at over a year, at 64 weeks, according to the Guardian’s figures.
The assessment bottlenecks carry knock-on effects, the Guardian notes. Delays in obtaining a formal assessment can lead to further delays in accessing medical help and specialist support that often depend on a diagnosis.
The reported increase in awareness of ADHD and autism has changed how many people view these conditions, prompting more individuals to seek clinical assessment. The Guardian frames the growing waiting lists as a consequence of these changes in understanding rather than a purely administrative failing.
The scale of the backlog underscores the pressure on NHS services tasked with meeting rising demand, with the imposition of two-year minimum waits signalling the extent of the strain on assessment pathways.
Why it matters
Long waits for ADHD and autism assessments can delay access to medication, therapy and specialist support that many people rely on a diagnosis to obtain. With nearly a million people on ADHD waiting lists alone, the scale of the backlog affects a large and growing share of the population seeking help.
Frequently asked questions
How long are NHS waits for ADHD and autism assessments now?
According to the Guardian, NHS boards in England have imposed a minimum two-year waiting time, while the current average wait for an ADHD assessment is already over a year, at 64 weeks.
How many people are waiting for assessments?
The Guardian reports that nearly 1 million people in England are on ADHD waiting lists, and about 295,000 are awaiting an autism assessment.
Why are the waiting lists growing?
The Guardian attributes the rise to sharp increases in referrals over the past six years, driven by major changes in the understanding of and social attitudes towards ADHD and autism.