Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is defined by the World Health Organization as a persistent pattern of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity that has a direct negative impact on academic, occupational, or social functioning. Around 1 in 20 children are estimated to be impacted by ADHD globally.

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.

Work to address challenges in ADHD care

To better understand the issues, NHS England initiated a rapid piece of work in to consider ADHD service provision within the NHS. The initial phase of work identified challenges with:

• current service models and the ability to keep pace with demand
• lack of reliable data to fully understand the size of the challenge
• the rate of growth within the independent sector and the potential variation in the service models and thresholds being used
• the balance between use of medication and therapeutic treatment options
• variation in access, experience, and outcomes for different populations
• the join-up across ADHD services and inter-related policies across health, care, education and justice systems

In response to these initial findings, the NHS England Board agreed to launch a new ADHD Taskforce in March 2024. The purpose of the independent Taskforce is to work alongside government, the NHS, voluntary sector and experts by experience to identify ways to improve care for people living with ADHD.

The work of the Taskforce is supported by and aligned to a programme within NHS England which is also working with stakeholders to:

1. improve the data the NHS collects and analyses on ADHD services
2. further map out who provides ADHD services and how they are commissioned locally
3. capture and spread best practice and innovative ways of delivering ADHD services

ADHD Taskforce

The ADHD Taskforce, launched together with government, brings together those with lived experience, experts from the NHS, education, charity and justice sectors. The taskforce has worked to gain a better understanding of the challenges affecting those with ADHD, including access to services and support.

Professor Anita Thapar chairs the taskforce. She is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and a professor at the Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences at Cardiff University.

She is currently co-chair on the Welsh Government Neurodivergence Ministerial Advisory Group and on the Welsh Government Clinical Advisory Group for ADHD assessment and support. She is also a member of the UK Embracing Complexity Neurodivergence Steering Group.

Experts supporting the ADHD Taskforce

The Taskforce is supported by 3 groups:

• 2 subgroups bringing together ‘experts by experience’ and ‘experts in evidence’
  • the Experts by Experience subgroup brings together people who live with ADHD, or support others who do, to ensure that the Taskforce is guided by real-world experience of care
  • The Experts in Evidence subgroup brings together people who lead the study of ADHD, to ensure the taskforce’s work takes account of the best available research and evidence
• a clinical reference group, bringing together senior clinicians with working knowledge of NHS ADHD care

Details of membership of the groups can be viewed further down this page.

Terms of reference

• ADHD Taskforce terms of reference

Outputs

The Taskforce published Part 1 of its report in June 2025.

The interim report explores the best available evidence of key issues surrounding the prevalence, diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, and makes a series of interim recommendations.

In summary these recommendations seek to achieve:

• Better outcomes for everyone: Getting ADHD right isn’t just about individuals—it’s about reducing school exclusions, easing pressure on mental health services, and helping more people thrive at home, in work, and in society.
• Faster answers for those that need it most: The report calls for a major overhaul of ADHD services, so those that need it most aren’t waiting for years for support and diagnosis.
• Support without a diagnosis: The report seeks to reimagine a world that offers practical help (like coaching, classroom tools, and parenting advice) to those showing signs of ADHD—even if they’re still waiting for diagnosis or don’t meet the clinical threshold.
• One joined-up system: The report calls for an end to the confusing patchwork of care, replacing it with clear pathways that work across services and conditions—so no one falls through the cracks.
• Less stress, better lives: The report calls for people to receive quicker support and face fewer barriers, and for families to have to spend less time fighting the system and more time focusing on their child’s wellbeing, education, and future.

The Taskforce is continuing to engage experts, patients and families, and a final report is expected to be published later in 2025.

Ongoing work to improve care

NHS England will work with colleagues across government to assess and respond to the Taskforce’s final report after it is published.

In addition and alongside this, NHS England’s ADHD Improvement Programme has been delivering on the commitments made in spring 2024, including:

• Transforming ADHD data to improve data quality and consistency, through:
  • Publishing the ADHD data improvement plan (May 2025) and corresponding technical guidance (June 2025)
  • Creation of the new Neurodevelopmental Data Hub, a central repository for neurodevelopmental data produced by NHS England
  • Launching the first ever publication of national level management information in relation to ADHD – a quarterly publication which began in May 2025
• Working closely with local systems who are developing and trialling new ways of delivering care which provide shorter waiting times and better experience for those who need them – and sharing good practice to help other areas improve.
• Working with Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to support commissioning and contracting teams, including regarding choice. The programme has established a community of practice , and provides tailored resources across several topics to support ICB teams and facilitates ADHD-specific provision from other national teams, e.g. contracting webinars
• Developed an interim solution for ADHD contract management, ahead of a new platform being implemented, which is designed to improve transparency and visibility of contracts for ADHD services nationally, further supporting ICBs in effective and efficient commissioning.

The programme continues to work closely with ICBs nationally, to further transform services and improve the care available to those experiencing ADHD symptoms, including exploring essential criteria for commissioning, opportunities for quality improvement and pricing of ADHD services to ensure patients have equitable access to safe, effective, and high-quality services.

Blogs

• Professor Anita Thapar, An update on the work of the ADHD Taskforce (March 2025)