NHS England’s Independent ADHD Taskforce has published Part 1 of its long-awaited report, laying out urgent recommendations to tackle widespread delays, fragmented services, and rising inequality in ADHD care. The interim findings are based on an extensive review of evidence around prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment, and signal a strong push for system-wide reform.
The taskforce warns that waiting times for assessments are now intolerable, with some adults facing delays of up to eight years, and children waiting as long as four. Over 549,000 people are currently awaiting assessment in England, including more than 140,000 who have been waiting two years or longer. These figures have fuelled the rise of a two-tier system: many individuals are turning to private providers, while those reliant on NHS care remain stuck in limbo.
But the report goes beyond the numbers. It sets out a vision to improve outcomes not just for individuals with ADHD, but for the systems around them, reducing school exclusions, easing pressure on mental health services, and helping more people participate fully at home, in work, and in society. Crucially, it highlights that the economic costs of inaction are substantial. The taskforce estimates that avoidable costs to individuals and government exceed £17 billion annually, making the case for reform not only clinical but financial.
The report calls for a major overhaul of ADHD services, so the most affected aren’t left waiting years for answers. A key theme is the need for support before diagnosis. The taskforce argues that practical help, such as coaching, classroom tools, and parenting guidance, should be available based on need, not paperwork. For those still waiting or who fall short of a clinical threshold, this could mean access to meaningful interventions at the right time, not years later.
It also calls for clear, joined-up care pathways to replace what it describes as a confusing patchwork of services. By uniting health, education, and social support, the aim is to create a more navigable system where no one falls through the cracks, and families spend less time battling bureaucracy, and more time focusing on their child’s wellbeing.
Technology, the taskforce notes, has a vital role to play. Better digital systems could help reduce delays by streamlining referrals, triaging patients more effectively, and making follow-up care easier to coordinate. There is also an opportunity to digitise tools for early screening and self-management, particularly for children and young adults navigating support at school or home. The report calls for ADHD to be firmly embedded within the government’s wider digital health strategy, ensuring that data, access, and innovation are built into future service models.
The taskforce, chaired by Professor Anita Thapar, will continue consulting with patients, clinicians, and sector leaders over the coming months. A final report is due later in 2025 and is expected to include more detailed implementation proposals.
While questions remain about resourcing and timelines, the message from this interim report is clear: ADHD services in England are not fit for purpose, and delay is no longer an option.
