ADHD Services Halt New NHS Referrals As Soaring Demand Overwhelms System. Specialist ADHD services for adults in England are closing their doors to new NHS patients as demand reaches unprecedented levels, according to a BBC investigation. The probe found that 15 local areas have shut their waiting lists entirely, while 31 others have tightened access criteria, making it harder for adults to get support. Professor Anita Thapar, chair of NHS England’s ADHD taskforce, called the findings “disturbing,” warning of “enormous risks” for patients. Her taskforce report urges a complete overhaul of ADHD services, calling for greater collaboration between health, education, and criminal justice systems. The report highlights chronic under-diagnosis and under-treatment, with average waits of up to eight years for adults. Some regions, like Surrey, are now piloting innovative solutions, training private GPs to conduct ADHD assessments and treatment to ease the growing backlog and help patients access life-changing support sooner. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT