35. ADHD waiting times in the UK
There is no national waiting time target for ADHD assessment anywhere in the UK. In England, NHS figures show that in June 2026 there were up to 959,662 open referrals that may be for an ADHD assessment. Many people wait more than a year, and waits differ a lot between areas.
How long is the ADHD waiting list in the UK?
England: the NHS figures
+NHS England Digital publishes ADHD figures every three months. Its August 2026 release counted up to 959,662 open referrals in June 2026 that may be for an ADHD assessment. The count also includes some referrals for other conditions, such as dyslexia, so the real ADHD number may be a little lower.
Why the number jumped
+From February 2025, private companies that do NHS assessments started sending in their data too. That made the count go up. So you can't compare figures from before and after that date.
Scotland
+Scotland does not publish one national figure. Freedom of Information replies show big gaps between health boards. In 2026, NHS Lothian reported a median adult wait of 177 weeks, which is over three years.
Wales
+Wales does not publish ADHD waits separately. Waits depend on your health board, and many are long. Ask your GP or health board for the current wait in your area.
Northern Ireland
+A 2024 Northern Ireland Assembly research paper found the longest adult wait in the Belfast Trust was eight years. A 2026 Department of Health review found that adult ADHD services are not yet formally commissioned.
What can I do while I wait?
In England: ask about Right to Choose
+If your GP in England refers you, you can ask to be sent to another NHS-funded provider. It's free, and the wait can be shorter. It applies in England only. See the Three routes and Fast Track pages.
Ask how long your wait will be
+You can ask your GP, or the service you were referred to, how long the wait is. Ask them to confirm the referral in writing, with the date it was sent.
Get support now
+You don't need a diagnosis to try the daily tools in this guide. They include body doubling, the Pomodoro timer and the 1-3-5 list. The While you wait page has more ideas.
Where to get help
NHS England Digital
ADHD Management Information. The official figures for England, published every three months at digital.nhs.uk.
ADHD UK
Plain-English guides to Right to Choose and waiting lists, at adhduk.co.uk.
Your GP
Ask for the current wait at your local service and written confirmation that your referral was sent.