More than half of NHS integrated care boards (ICBs) in England have imposed limits on ADHD assessments for 2025-26, according to freedom of information responses obtained by ADHD UK. Of the 22 ICBs with caps, 13 did not inform GPs and 12 did not inform patients awaiting assessment.
Henry Shelford, chief executive of ADHD UK, called the practice 'cruel' and accused the NHS of hiding the rationing to cope with budget pressures. He noted that average waiting times for ADHD assessments already stand at eight years, and the caps will worsen delays.
The government's ADHD taskforce warned in November that unassessed individuals face difficulties in work and school, costing £17 billion annually through crime, educational underachievement, drug misuse, suicide, and mental ill-health. Shelford stressed that timely assessments are essential for treatment and that GPs need to know if their patients will be assessed.
North Central London ICB confirmed it introduced indicative activity plans (IAPs) capping ADHD and autism assessments without communicating to GPs or patients. At the time of its FoI response, 8,583 people were waiting for ADHD assessment and 1,306 for autism in its area. Other ICBs with caps but no communication include Kent and Medway, and Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes.
NHS England said people can still join waiting lists and that IAPs are not designed to restrict choice. A spokesperson stated: 'These proposals are designed to improve consistency and quality of care, and ultimately deliver fully funded and effective pathways for all patients across England.'
The health secretary, Wes Streeting, has ordered a review into the rise in ADHD, autism, and mental illness diagnoses.
