Today the Secretary of State for Health, Wes Streeting, has announced the launching of an independent review. Announcing the new review, he said: “We must look at this through a strictly clinical lens to get an evidence-based understanding… That’s the only way we can ensure everyone gets timely access to accurate diagnosis and effective support.”
This comes hot on the heels of an NHS England task force report on the current state of ADHD support services which showed that the number of referrals for ADHD assessments and treatment, as well as the number of prescriptions provided, has increased significantly.
This trend is being seen internationally, and while local NHS teams have been working hard to increase capacity – including referrals to independent services – waiting lists and times have grown. There have also been global medication supply shortages, which have impacted some patients.
So what does this all mean for this new review? Well the ink on the budget papers is still fresh on the page and the cost of propping up the welfare state is climbing and becoming very difficult to sustain as a nation. It seems fair therefore to assume that Mr Streeting is keen to reduce the costs of paying people claiming benefits and getting more people back into productive work. He has previously said that too many people are being diagnosed which is a worry but we can only hope that this is about strengthening pathways to assessment and getting aid where it’s most needed.
As a reminder to the government, the headline recommendations from the report published in two parts – March and November 2025 – were:
- Ensure fair, timely assessments for all ages
- Access & Diagnosis
- Reduce long waiting times
- Support & Services
- Expand ADHD care beyond diagnosis
- Integrate mental health, education, and community support
- Awareness & Training
- Improve understanding among professionals
- Provide resources for schools, workplaces, and families
- Voice of Lived Experience
- Involve people with ADHD in shaping services
- Prioritise inclusivity and equity
- National standards for ADHD pathways
- Ongoing monitoring and accountability
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