The long wait for an ADHD diagnosis in the UK
An estimated 2.5 million people in England may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to new figures.
NHS England estimates suggest that 741,000 children and young people aged five to 24 may have ADHD, along with 147,000 under the age of five.
Over half a million people (549,000) in England were waiting for an ADHD assessment as of March 2025, up from 416,000 the previous year.
Of those waiting for assessment, 304,000 had been waiting at least a year, and 144,000 had been waiting at least two years, with the majority (382,000) aged between five and 24.
Healthwatch England 's chief executive, Louise Ansari, highlighted that many people with ADHD don't seek support due to long assessment waits and called for more comprehensive and robust data collection.
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