Somewhere between 560,000 and 960,000 people in England are on the ADHD assessment waiting list. The exact number depends on whose figures you read, but every version of it is huge.
And yes, the irony isn't lost on me. A queue. For ADHD. Standing in a line, doing nothing, for months or even years. Which is pretty much our brains' least favourite activity. 😩
How many people are on the ADHD assessment waiting list?
- Professor Peter Fonagy's independent review for the Department of Health and Social Care, published this month, found more than 560,000 people had an open ADHD referral by the end of 2025.
- Channel 4 News, reporting on the review, put the figure at around 650,000 people waiting for an ADHD assessment.
- The Guardian reported in September that 960,000 people across England are waiting, and that some NHS areas now have a minimum two-year wait for assessments through independent providers.
Different ways of counting, same message: it's a very, very long queue.
Nobody is in that queue for fun
Henry Shelford, CEO of ADHD UK, who was diagnosed with ADHD in his 40s, put it brilliantly:
'People don't go for a diagnosis of ADHD because they're worried well. They go because they're struggling.'
Behind every one of those numbers is a real person. Someone struggling at work, on a course, with the washing pile, or with that constant feeling of being behind no matter how hard they try.
What can you do while waiting for an ADHD assessment?
A diagnosis can be really important. It can open the door to treatment and support, and for lots of people it brings a huge sense of relief. But you don't need one to start making life work better for your brain.
While you wait, you can:
- Ask for support. At work or on a course, you can ask for things to be done differently. Plenty of employers and training providers will help without a formal diagnosis, so it's always worth asking. Asking for support isn't asking for an easier ride.
- Find people who get it. ADHD UK has lots of information, and peer support groups can be a lifeline.
- Keep your GP in the loop if things get harder while you're waiting.
Can you get ADHD coaching without a diagnosis?
Yes. Done Different coaching is ADHD-informed, and you don't need a diagnosis to book. Coaching isn't therapy and it isn't a replacement for an assessment. It's practical, judgement-free support to work out what suits your brain, set realistic goals and build systems that actually stick.
Curious what that looks like? Have a read of what an ADHD coach actually does, or find out more about coaching with Done Different. Plymouth and online.
You've been in enough queues. Support doesn't have to be one of them. 🧡
Sources: Summary of the Fonagy review (Care ADHD); ADHD UK on Channel 4 News, 10 October 2026; ADHD UK on The Guardian, 25 September 2026.