NHS implements minimum waits for ADHD and autism assessments

NHS integrated care boards (ICBs) across England are implementing minimum waiting periods for ADHD and autism assessments to manage rising costs and high demand. In West Yorkshire, a two-year minimum wait has been introduced for assessments through NHS-funded independent providers, affecting approximately 2.4 million people. The ICB reported that spending on such assessments rose from £7 million in 2023-24 to £21 million last year.

Across England, 15 ICBs covering 19 million people have introduced various restrictions. These measures include limiting the annual number of funded assessments or utilizing clinical prioritisation to focus on individuals with the most severe needs. Other regions have reported different minimum wait times, such as 78 weeks in the North East and North Cumbria, 52 weeks in Somerset, and 14 weeks in Devon.

Charity ADHD UK has criticized these delays, describing the minimum waits as ‘heartless and dangerous.’ Advocates argue that such delays can prevent individuals from accessing support necessary for maintaining employment, school performance, and mental health stability. Data indicates a significant rise in neurodiversity diagnoses over the last 25 years, with autism diagnoses among boys aged 7 to 18 increasing from 0.2% in 2000 to 4.7% in 2025.