ADHD diagnosis research
In its latest report, Healthwatch England has found that people with ADHD find a diagnosis life-changing, but long waits on the NHS need urgent action.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition, characterised by difficulties with concentration, energy levels, impulsiveness, or a person’s ability to manage their time.
Healthwatch England commissioned a poll of 2,579 adults living in England to explore people’s experiences and impacts of possible ADHD and of getting an ADHD diagnosis. All respondents were either diagnosed with ADHD or thought they had it.
The survey was conducted following concerns about access to ADHD services raised by local Healthwatch and the public.
Findings
The report highlights ADHD diagnosis can change people’s lives, giving them a better understanding of themselves, improving their wellbeing and self-esteem, and concentration at work.
Yet long waits for assessments put people with suspected ADHD off seeking professional care, and almost two-thirds (64%) of people with an ADHD diagnosis said they received either no information or poor information whilst waiting for their assessment.
Of the people who responded to the poll and who are currently waiting for an assessment, nearly half, had been waiting for over a year, and 10 per cent of these for three years or more.
Healthwatch England’s report, “Recognising ADHD: How to improve support for people who need it” highlights that long waits for an ADHD assessment on the NHS put people off seeking any support.
Of all respondents, 41% said they didn’t seek a formal ADHD diagnosis, with 20% of this group giving long waits as a reason.
There is no official data on how many people are waiting for ADHD assessments. A recent BBC investigation suggested that at least 196,000 adults were on NHS waiting lists for ADHD assessments.
Recommendations
Healthwatch England warns there is an urgent need for quicker access to NHS support for ADHD and has set out four priorities for the Department for Health and Social Care, NHS England and other stakeholders. These are:
- collecting data on waiting times to understand demand
- shifting more ADHD care to community care to reduce waiting times
- better training for staff in both primary and community care
- and tailored information and support for people on waiting lists.
Healthwatch England sits on and supports the work of the NHS ADHD taskforce, which was set up in 2024 to address the challenges people face in getting the right support.
If you would like to tell us about your experience of ADHD diagnosis or treatment, please get in touch.
