NHS England has published a report from its independent ADHD Taskforce.
The independent ADHD Taskforce was commissioned by NHS England in 2024, as part of a series of measures to address concerns about timely access to diagnosis and support, and the impact of unsupported ADHD on individuals, services and the wider economy. This report provides initial evidence-informed recommendations to be addressed now and in the longer term. These align with the government’s three key health priorities (hospital to community, prevention and digitalisation) and wider missions.
Below is the abbreviated summary of the report – you can download a copy of the report (including easy read) here
Abbreviated summary
ADHD, when unsupported, is a potent route into educational failure, long-term unemployment, crime, substance misuse, suicide, mental and physical illness1–5. Economic costs to individuals and the government of at least £17 billion6 are avoidable as, when appropriately supported, people with ADHD can thrive and fully engage in a working life. This is a brief summary of our key recommendations.
1. There is robust evidence that ADHD is not the remit of health alone. Policies, budgets, spending, service plans and the collection of routine data need to span departments and agencies across all levels from government to locality.
2. Support for ADHD and neurodivergence should begin early. This should be needs led, begin in preschool or school and not rely on or require clinician provided diagnosis.
3. An entirely specialist, single diagnosis model is not sustainable or evidence informed. In England, clinician-defined ADHD is under-recognised, under-diagnosed and under-treated7–9, although we recognise that may not be the case in some parts of the world. ADHD frequently co-occurs with autism and neurodevelopmental disorders10 and mental health disorders5 and is common, with a population prevalence of 3–5%11,12. Given the established adverse outcomes and costs of unsupported ADHD, there is an urgent need to address early determinants of adverse outcomes and reduce waiting times in cost-effective, evidence-supported ways. ADHD NHS waiting times will continue to escalate, so cannot be ignored. We recommend a holistic, stepped, joined-up, generalist approach, with adequately-resourced primary care and secondary health care, local authorities and the voluntary/community sector to enable both initial needs-led holistic support and the fast-tracking of those with severe ADHD or whose functioning does not improve with first-line non-pharmacological intervention13 to high-quality clinical diagnostic assessment and medication.
4. ADHD services need to be digitised and data improved. We urge government to include ADHD health services in its 10 year plan for digitisation to make processes efficient. Data need to be systematically gathered across sectors to inform service planning and monitor quality (under and over-diagnosis). We also recommend that NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) prioritise rapid assessment of digital products for clinical effectiveness and value.