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

What could the tracking of mental health data mean for London's healthcare capacity?

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London's ADHD waiting lists soar, straining local mental health services The tracking of mental health data by NHS England reveals a critical strain on London's capacity to assess patients with ADHD. The number of open ADHD referrals in the capital rose sharply, soaring 72% to 112,570 in June 2026. This surge is reflected in the high volume of new referrals, which jumped from 3,235 in June 2025 to 5,750 in June 2026 alone. Consequently, over 27,000 people on the waiting list have been waiting for their assessment for more than two years.

Reported by 1 independent outlet Written Saturday
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The facts so far

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  • In June 2025, 65,120 people in London had an open referral for ADHD, which soared 72% to 112,570 in June 2026.aol.co.uk
  • Over 27,000 people on the London waiting list have been waiting for their assessment for more than two years.aol.co.uk
  • New ADHD referrals in London rose from 3,235 in June 2025 to 5,750 in June 2026.aol.co.uk
  • NHS England estimates that approximately 2,478,000 people in England have ADHD, including those without a diagnosis.aol.co.uk

Why it matters

The strain on London's mental health services is not isolated; it reflects a national trend. NHS England estimates that approximately 2,478,000 people in England have ADHD, and the review commissioned by Wes Streeting confirms that the rise in mental health problems among young people is real and requires better support.

This crisis is compounded by expert findings that the rise in diagnoses over the past 25 years may be outpacing the expected number in the population for some younger age groups, while also noting that mental health distress in 25-year-olds is up by 50% since 1993.

What we don't know yet

  • What specific resources or policy changes will the commissioned review recommend to address the capacity crisis?
  • How will the risk of over-diagnosis identified in the review affect current diagnostic practices in London?

What would change this answer

The government announces a major funding injection for NHS England's mental health services.The waiting list backlog in London could begin to decrease, mitigating the immediate operational strain.
The review finds that the rise in diagnoses is primarily due to increased awareness rather than increased prevalence.The pressure on diagnostic services might stabilize, shifting focus toward better long-term support rather than immediate assessment capacity.

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NHS EnglandLondonWaiting ListMental Health ServicesYoung PeopleWes StreetingDiagnostic ServicesAge Groups

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The full eventNHS England reports sharp rise in ADHD waiting lists across England Everything aboutLondon

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.