A charity supporting people with ADHD is launching a legal challenge against the Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) after it temporarily halted referrals for adults over 25. This pause, effective from 21 May, aims to reduce long waiting lists for children but leaves adults with limited options for assessment.
Unlike other regions where adults can still be referred to accredited alternative providers under the “right to choose” legislation, Coventry and Warwickshire’s pause means over-25s must pay privately for assessments. ADHD UK reports that some patients have paid as much as £1,500 for private diagnosis.
Henry Shelford, CEO of ADHD UK, criticised the move:
“It’s ridiculous. We know one in 10 men and boys and one in four women and girls with ADHD will at some point try to take their own life, so we know there’s a danger. We also know that ADHD medication can have a significant positive effect and you can’t get it unless you have a diagnosis. It’s part of the discrimination and a lack of taking ADHD seriously that we face every day.”
He also warned the decision could set a precedent for NHS trusts to cut ADHD and other services amid financial pressures.
Dr Imogen Staveley, Chief Medical Officer at NHS Coventry and Warwickshire ICB, explained the pause as an “emergency policy” to address the “unacceptable ADHD assessment waiting times, currently affecting over 7,500 children,” some waiting up to ten years for assessment locally. The pause aims to “support the development of a sustainable, all-age ADHD pathway for the future.”
Understanding the ADHD Crisis
ADHD is defined by the World Health Organization as a persistent pattern of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity that affects academic, occupational, or social functioning. Psychiatrist Anita Thapar, chair of the NHS England ADHD taskforce, highlighted that services struggle because they are “playing catch-up” with advances in ADHD research and awareness.
“The research on ADHD has really matured in the last 20 years but the services have not been able to catch up with what we now know about ADHD,” she said, noting that ADHD remains under-recognised and under-treated in England. Many adults, especially females, were missed or misdiagnosed in childhood, leading to negative health and social outcomes.
Thapar added that existing services were designed when ADHD was considered rare, but it now affects 3-5% of the population. More specialist training is needed for psychiatrists to accurately diagnose and treat ADHD.
Sarah Walter from the NHS Confederation acknowledged the financial challenges faced by integrated care boards:
“It is clear that current waiting lists for ADHD are too long, and commissioners and providers are having to take a pragmatic approach to respond to the needs identified. In some instances, this may mean prioritising certain groups, be it by age or length of wait.”
David Hare, CEO of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network, pointed to the availability of private sector capacity to help reduce backlogs:
“Local capacity available in the independent sector can be used to cut the backlog of care and improve access to diagnosis and treatment for all those in need, regardless of age.”
A Patient’s Experience
Before the referral pause, Andy Morrison from Coventry paid £1,500 for a private ADHD assessment after being told his NHS wait could be up to three years. Struggling with alcohol abuse and job instability, Morrison described how diagnosis and treatment transformed his life:
“I’ve never looked back and getting the diagnosis gives clarity and context – you almost grieve for the life you could have had if you had been diagnosed in the first place.”
NHS England Response
A spokesperson for NHS England acknowledged the pressure on ADHD services due to increased demand, especially for children and young people:
“ADHD services are under significant pressure from a huge rise in people coming forward, and we know that is resulting in unacceptably long waits for assessment and treatment – particularly for children and young people.”
They confirmed that while local NHS teams are responsible for addressing waiting times, an ADHD taskforce is working to improve services.
This development highlights the urgent need for increased ADHD diagnostic capacity and resources within the NHS, particularly for adults facing long delays or forced to seek costly private assessments. The upcoming legal challenge by ADHD UK aims to uphold patient rights and ensure fair access to timely ADHD diagnosis and care.
Affordable ADHD Assessments Amidst Referral Pauses for Over-25s
With the recent pause on NHS ADHD referrals for adults over 25 in some regions, many individuals face long waits or are forced to seek costly private assessments. At Private ADHD, we understand the urgency and challenges faced by adults seeking diagnosis. That’s why we offer affordable, high-quality ADHD assessments starting at £650—significantly lower than many private providers charging over £1,500. Our streamlined process and expert clinicians ensure you receive thorough, confidential evaluations without the excessive wait times, helping you take control of your health and access the support you need as quickly as possible. Click here to book your affordable Adult ADHD Assessment.
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