What I’m Learning About ADHD Assessment Services in 2025

By Kirsty Morris

As I continue researching ADHD services across the UK, one thing has become clear – the strain on assessment clinics right now is immense.

From the data I’ve gathered, around 2.5 million people in England are thought to have ADHD, and an estimated 549,000 are waiting for an assessment.
That’s half a million individuals still seeking clarity – and thousands of clinicians doing their very best within a system stretched to its limits.

⚖️ Demand vs Capacity

From what I’m learning, demand is far outweighing capacity.
Clinics are managing referral lists that grow faster than they can be cleared. Triage teams are under pressure to prioritise complex cases while still providing some form of support to those waiting.

And, as I read through the latest reports and studies, I can’t help but think:
clinic staff must be experiencing burnout, compassion fatigue, and moral frustration.

They entered this field to make a difference – but with such long waits, it must sometimes feel impossible to keep up.

📊 What the Data Shows

• NHS England estimates up to 549,000 people currently waiting for an ADHD assessment (May 2025).
• The King’s Fund describes waiting times ranging from one year to over ten years, depending on region.
• Research in the BJPsych Bulletin refers to adult ADHD services as “in crisis”, highlighting that there are no national targets for waiting times.

These numbers tell a story not only of growing demand but also of invisible pressure – felt daily in clinics up and down the country.

🌱 The Ripple Effect

I’m also learning how these long waits circle back to the services themselves.

When people wait years for an assessment, their symptoms often become more complex – anxiety, depression, or burnout may develop in the meantime.
That means each eventual assessment is longer and more resource-intensive, adding to the backlog.

It’s a cycle that impacts both patients and practitioners.

💬 Reflections

It leaves me wondering:

• How are clinics managing the emotional load on their staff?
• What creative approaches are helping to ease the backlog – or at least support those waiting?
• Are digital pathways, triage hubs, or shared-care models beginning to make a difference yet?

If you lead or work in ADHD assessment services, I’d genuinely love to hear your experience.
What’s the current picture in your region? What’s working – and where do you most need support?

Because the more I learn, the clearer it becomes:
This isn’t just about numbers on a waiting list.
It’s about people – both those waiting, and those working tirelessly to help them.

I would be really interested in speaking with any GPs about their thoughts on this. Contact me here.