adhd treatment
Why linked: The interim report of the Fonagy Review is a key milestone document directly shaping future ADHD treatment policy.
There is substantial pressure on services providing ADHD assessment. The next phase of the Review will examine more closely the quality and consistency of assessments, variation in diagnostic practice, and the extent to which diagnosis is followed by evidence-based treatment.
Why linked: Confirms the ADHD Taskforce final report was published in November 2025 and that the government is considering its recommendations — a key implementation milestone.
The final report was published on 6 November 2025, and we are carefully considering its recommendations.
Why linked: The Secretary of State's written ministerial statement formally announces the review to Parliament and sets out the government's political commitment.
I am deeply concerned that many adults, young people and children with mental health conditions, ADHD and autism have been let down by services and are not receiving tailored, personalised or timely support and treatment.
Why linked: A companion committee publication providing evidence and cost analysis underpinning the case for ADHD treatment reform.
The independent ADHD Taskforce found that the estimated cost of not treating ADHD is around £17 billion to the UK economy.
Why linked: This select committee report is the primary parliamentary scrutiny document on ADHD diagnostic and treatment pathways for children, directly relevant to service reform.
NHS England also estimated that as of March 2025 up to 316,000 children were waiting for an ADHD assessment, with up to 85,000 still waiting between 52 and 104 weeks after the referral was made.
Why linked: Illustrates the postcode lottery in ADHD treatment access, with an ICB restricting adult ADHD referrals — a concrete example of the commissioning failure at the heart of the policy debate.
In March 2025, it introduced a new interim policy under which the ICB will only fund new ADHD referrals for people aged under 25 years old at the point of referral.
Why linked: Records the first-ever national NHS publication of ADHD waiting list data and the ADHD Taskforce interim report — both landmark events in the policy story.
For the first time, NHS England published management information on ADHD waits at a national level on 29 May 2025 as part of its ADHD data improvement plan.
Why linked: Major Commons debate on ADHD in which the minister confirmed the ADHD Taskforce interim report and NHS data improvement plan, capturing the political debate around treatment access.
The initial data from the taskforce shows that an estimated 2.5 million people in England have ADHD, with more than half a million on waiting lists.
Why linked: Provides a detailed update on the ongoing methylphenidate shortage and government guidance to prescribers — a direct treatment access issue.
We are continuing to work to resolve supply issues where they remain, for methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets.
Why linked: Key ministerial response on the ADHD medication shortage crisis, confirming which medicines were resolved and ongoing supply issues with methylphenidate.
The Department has been working hard with industry and NHS England to help resolve supply issues with some ADHD medicines, which are affecting the United Kingdom and other countries around the world.
Why linked: Earlier written question in the same medicine shortage sequence, showing the persistent nature of the supply problem across the parliamentary session.
We are engaging with all suppliers of methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets to assess the challenges faced and their actions to address them.
Why linked: The 2023 petitions debate on ADHD waiting times is a key parliamentary milestone that prompted government commitments on data collection and diagnostic pathway improvement.
People are waiting years for an ADHD diagnosis, as access to services and treatment in the UK is limited and inconsistent.