NHS chiefs rationing referrals for ADHD but not telling GPs

The NHS is restricting assessments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to save money but not telling doctors or patients, despite soaring demand for the service.

- Denis Campbell Health policy editor

More than half of the 42 integrated care boards (ICBs) in England have imposed limits on how many people can be assessed for ADHD during 2025/26, freedom of information responses show.

Of the 22 who have done so, 13 have not told GPs and 12 have not informed patients waiting for an ADHD assessment. The charity ADHD UK, which obtained the figures, said the lack of communication showed health chiefs were trying to hide the fact that “cruel” curbs on assessment were in widespread use to help tackle budget pressures.

Henry Shelford, ADHD UK’s chief executive, said: “Waiting times for assessments are already horrendously long, and it’s shocking to see how the NHS is further rationing people’s care to save money. It’s cruel but increasingly widespread.

“We're seeing ICBs curb patients’ access to ADHD assessment without telling GPs or patients that they are doing this and without having made any assessment of the consequences.