The pause for adults in May 2025 was in order to prioritise reducing long waiting lists for children.

NHS adult ADHD assessment waiting times are typically between three and six years, while children may wait between five and ten years. For autism assessments, children and young people wait around two years on average, with adult waiting times slightly longer.

Patients of all ages can now seek an ADHD assessment and the decision on whether a referral is made will be based on clinical need and functional impact alone.

The new policy also introduces a new quality-based provider framework with all NHS-funded providers, including Right to Choose providers, now expected to meet clear quality, safety, governance and follow-up standards, aligned to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.

The new policy also introduces the expectation that, where a clinician makes a referral for both ADHD and autism, a patient should receive a dual ADHD and autism assessment providing it is clinically appropriate.