Adults left waiting years for ADHD referrals

Figures show there was a seven-fold increase in the trust's referrals from 2019 to 2023

Some adults in Oxfordshire have been waiting years for an appointment to confirm if they have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Oxford Health NHS Trust paused all adult ADHD diagnosis appointments in February, the BBC understands.

Figures show the number of referrals to Oxford Health rose from 496 in 2019 to 3,023 in 2023 – a seven-fold increase.

The trust said the pause had allowed staff to clear the backlog of people waiting for triage assessments, and full assessments would be “prioritised based on date of initial referral”.

The organisation provides mental health and community services in Oxfordshire, mental health services in Buckinghamshire, and other specialist services across the country.

According to the NHS, ADHD can lead to difficulty concentrating and/or hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

It says many people with the disorder have those two issues but not all do.

Jenni Warrior said she had struggled with her mental health throughout her life and was diagnosed with autism three years ago.

She was referred for an appointment over potential ADHD in September 2021.

But having heard nothing by January, she contacted Oxford Health.

She was then told she was not on the waiting list because of a clerical issue – but that she would still be considered for an appointment. She has not heard back from the trust since.

'Working hard'

“There is no specific medication to treat the symptoms of autism but with ADHD there very much is,” she told BBC Radio Oxford.

"From what I have heard from acquaintances who are currently taking ADHD medication, they say it’s absolutely life-changing and – after struggling their whole lives – they are finally able to do life in a way they haven’t been able to before.

“I think it’s very easy to blame the Oxfordshire ADHD services but I am sure they’re working very hard.

"It’s probably a very small team, they are probably very under-resourced, underfunded. I think this situation speaks to a wider problem of mental health services in the UK at the moment.”

A shortage of ADHD medication because of an increase in demand and manufacturing issues has led to difficulties for some.

An Oxford Health spokesperson said: “The pause in the Oxfordshire Adult ADHD service has allowed the team to clear the backlog of people waiting for triage assessments.

"We are now working through full assessments, which will be prioritised based on date of initial referral.

“Waiting lists change by the day as people are seen, or complete treatment – we would reiterate we are working hard to see those waiting, and we apologise to anyone waiting longer than we would like.”