NHS Bodies in England Introduce Two-Year Minimum Waits for ADHD and Autism Assessments

LONDON: Four NHS integrated care boards (ICBs) in England have introduced minimum waiting periods of up to two years for people seeking assessments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism, as health authorities face sharply rising demand and financial pressures, The Guardian reported.

The measures form part of wider efforts by NHS bodies to manage demand for neurodevelopmental assessments. In total, 15 ICBs covering around 19 million people have introduced various restrictions, including limits on the number of assessments funded and clinical prioritisation criteria.

West Yorkshire ICB has introduced a two-year minimum wait from referral for ADHD and autism assessments provided by independent providers. The board said its expenditure on such assessments had increased from £7 million in 2023-24 to £21 million in the following year.

Other ICBs have adopted different minimum waiting periods. The North East and North Cumbria ICB has indicated an approximately 78-week minimum wait for initial assessments through funded independent providers, while Somerset has introduced a 52-week minimum wait and Devon a 14-week period. Kent and Medway has also introduced restrictions, while Hampshire and the Isle of Wight has limited assessments to patients meeting specified priority criteria.

The scale of demand is reflected in NHS data. In June 2026, 294,792 patients in England had an open referral for suspected autism, with 256,017 of those referrals having been open for at least 13 weeks. Only 3.8% of referrals that had been open beyond 13 weeks had received a first appointment within the recommended 13-week period.

According to the Guardian, about 960,000 people are currently waiting for an ADHD assessment in England, while another 295,000 are awaiting an autism assessment. The newspaper reported that the restrictions have prompted criticism from patient and professional organisations, which argue that prolonged waits can delay access to support in education, employment and healthcare.

The measures come ahead of the expected publication of a government-commissioned review examining the sharp increase in diagnoses of mental health conditions, ADHD and autism. The review, led by Professor Peter Fonagy, is examining the factors behind rising demand and the implications for the NHS, schools, employers and families.

The Guardian reported that the review highlights substantial increases in recorded autism and ADHD prevalence among boys since 2000, while also identifying factors including improved clinical understanding, greater public awareness, reduced stigma and previously under-identified groups entering assessment services.

NHS representatives have acknowledged that rising demand and financial pressures are contributing to the introduction of minimum waits and, in some areas, restrictions on waiting lists. The NHS Alliance’s mental health network said the current situation was placing local health leaders under significant pressure while they sought to balance budgets and maintain services.

The developments have intensified debate over how England’s health service can respond to rapidly increasing demand for ADHD and autism assessments while maintaining timely access to diagnosis and appropriate support.