Guide · Updated October 2026
NHS ADHD Waiting Times UK 2026 — How Long Will You Wait?
Current region-wide estimates for adults in England range from 5–22 months. Individual services can be much longer, so check the figures for your own area.
Want the detail? The tracker lists the local NHS area figures, each with its source and date.
See live wait times by region →How long is the NHS ADHD waiting list in 2026?
Our region-wide estimates for adults in England run from 5–22 months. These are averages across each region, and they hide wide differences between areas. Some local NHS services report waits of several years, and the tracker shows those figures with their sources.
Waiting times change as services and data sources are updated, so each figure below shows its source and when it was recorded.
5–22 months
Region estimates, England (adults)
Free if eligible
NHS Right to Choose (England)
Live prices
Private assessments, see the cost guide
Why are NHS ADHD waiting times so long?
Referrals for ADHD assessment have grown quickly, driven by greater public awareness. NHS ADHD services rely on specialist psychiatrists and nurses, and capacity has not grown at the same rate.
Each ADHD assessment takes a substantial amount of clinician time, plus time for report writing, GP letters and follow-up. Services with limited staff time have longer queues.
Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), which commission ADHD services, face funding pressures, and some have introduced extra steps before referral. These factors vary by area.
NHS ADHD waiting times by region (adults, England)
Each figure is the latest region-wide estimate in our data, with its source. Individual trusts vary significantly, so check with your local service for current figures.
| Region | Estimated wait |
|---|---|
| London | 7–12 months |
| South East | 8–14 months |
| South West | 8–22 months |
| East of England | 5–10 months |
| West Midlands | 7–12 months |
| East Midlands | 5–10 months |
| North West | 9–11 months |
| Yorkshire | 6–11 months |
| North East | 7–8 months |
What are the alternatives to waiting?
Many people choose not to wait for an NHS assessment. Two alternatives are available.
NHS Right to Choose — free if eligible
If you are registered with a GP in England, you can request a referral to a private clinic under the NHS Right to Choose scheme. The assessment is NHS-funded, so it is free to you. Your GP cannot refuse a valid Right to Choose referral without clinical justification.
Full Right to Choose guide →Private assessment
Private ADHD assessments are paid for directly. Prices vary by provider and by whether the assessment is for an adult or a child. See our full cost guide for the live price range, or our cheapest assessments page for the most affordable options.
Find a private clinic →Every figure on this page comes from the source named beside it, and the source is shown with the date it was recorded. Figures can be out of date, so contact your local ICB or GP for current waiting time information. This page does not constitute medical advice.