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From NHS England reports sharp rise in ADHD waiting lists across England

How could Wes Streeting's mental health review affect Department of Health and Social Care?

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Soaring mental health demand puts pressure on Department of Health and Social Care The independent review commissioned by Wes Streeting, alongside NHS England's tracking data, confirms a severe and growing crisis in mental health provision across England. The data shows that the national waiting list for ADHD assessments has grown dramatically, and new referrals are rising sharply. Because the Department of Health and Social Care provides the funding and guidance necessary for the National Health Service to operate, this documented surge in demand places direct pressure on the department to allocate additional resources and address systemic support gaps.

Reported by 1 independent outlet Written Saturday
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How it reaches Department of Health and Social Care

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The facts so far

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  • The national waiting list for ADHD assessments grew from 511,000 in June 2025 to 780,000 by June 2026.aol.co.uk
  • New referrals for possible ADHD assessment rose by 46.7% in June 2026, reaching 37,105.aol.co.uk
  • In London, the open referral for ADHD soared 72% from 65,120 in June 2025 to 112,570 in June 2026.aol.co.uk
  • The review found the rise in mental health problems among young people is real and requires better support.aol.co.uk

Why it matters

The crisis is substantial, affecting millions of people in England. NHS England estimates that approximately 2,478,000 people in England have ADHD, and the review confirms a sharp rise in mental health conditions among young people, such as a 50% increase in mental health distress in 25-year-olds since 1993.

As the governing body for the NHS, the Department of Health and Social Care is responsible for ensuring the system can meet this escalating demand. The pressure is not just about funding, but about addressing systemic issues, including the risk of over-diagnosis and the need for better support structures for young people.

What we don't know yet

  • What specific policy changes will the Department of Health and Social Care implement to address the rising waiting lists?
  • How will the Department of Health and Social Care address the risk of over-diagnosis identified in the review?

What would change this answer

The Department of Health and Social Care announces a major new funding package for mental health services.This would signal a direct governmental response to the crisis, potentially mitigating the immediate financial pressure.
The independent review recommends structural changes to the NHS assessment process.This would force the Department of Health and Social Care to undertake significant operational and regulatory reforms.

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The full eventNHS England reports sharp rise in ADHD waiting lists across England Everything aboutDepartment of Health and Social Care

Brind's analysis is written by AI from the reporting linked above and can be wrong. This explainer is a possibility worth considering, not a forecast: steps marked as Brind's reasoning are not stated in the reporting. It is not investment advice; do your own research.