An independent taskforce established to tackle challenges
in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) care has today
(6 November 2025) published its final report.
The ADHD Taskforce Final Report assessed services across health,
education, employment, and the criminal justice system.
The independent report recognises that cross-sector services
across the country are under significant pressure due to the
growing number of people seeking assessment and support which has
resulted in long waits for diagnosis and treatment.
Since the publication of the interim report earlier this year,
NHS England has already been working with local systems to
implement key recommendations and improve care for people with
ADHD.
Through the Medium-Term Planning Framework, NHS England has set
clear expectations for local Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and
Trusts to improve access, experience, and outcomes for ADHD
services over the next three years, focusing on improving quality
and productivity.
The Taskforce's final report makes a series of recommendations to
transform ADHD services across England, many of which require
cross-government collaboration.
It calls for ADHD to be recognised and treated as a common
condition, supported by new diagnosis models to help reduce
waiting lists and that professionals across healthcare including
GPs should receive more training on recognising symptoms and
having an appropriate role in treatment.
The report also highlights the need for stronger collaboration
between government departments — across health, education,
employment, and criminal justice — to ensure more joined-up
support.
Other recommendations include greater use of digital tools and
data to enable services to work more efficiently with patients.
Dr Adrian James, NHS England's medical director for
mental health and neurodiversity, said: “We want to
thank everyone who has been involved in shaping this work, and we
are committed to ensuring the voices of people with ADHD and
their families remain central to how we support
local teams to improve services.
“We will review the recommendations in the final report with
colleagues across Government, as well as continuing to make
progress on wider work to support local teams to address
challenges.”
Professor Anita Thapar, Chair of the independent
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) taskforce,
said: “I am hugely grateful to everyone who has
contributed to this work, from people with ADHD and their
families, to clinicians, researchers, and colleagues across the
NHS and beyond. This report reflects a real shared commitment to
improving understanding, support, and outcomes for people living
with ADHD. ADHD impacts are wider than health alone, and the
taskforce's recommendations will need action across government
and society, not just within the NHS, if we are to make changes.
A report alone won't transform things overnight, but it's an
important step forward and one that gives real hope for the
future.”
Health Minister said: “I want to
thank everyone on the ADHD Taskforce, especially those with
personal experience of ADHD, for this important work.
“Too many are waiting too long to get the ADHD assessment and
help they need, which can have a huge impact on their working
life, social life, and wellbeing. We're working across government
to prioritise early intervention and provide support for people
who need it most as part of our 10 Year Health Plan.
“Now, we'll be looking closely at the recommendations from the
taskforce so we can continue to make real improvements to the
support and services available to people with ADHD."
The cross-sector ADHD Taskforce was launched last year by NHS
England, in partnership with government, to address rising
demand, waiting times, and variation in patient experience. It
has been chaired by Professor Anita Thapar, and supported by
three expert groups:
- an Experts by Experience subgroup of people living with ADHD
or supporting others with the condition
- an Experts in Evidence subgroup bringing together leading
researchers in ADHD; and
- a Clinical Reference Group made up of senior clinicians with
direct experience of NHS ADHD care.
NHS England has been working on improving ADHD services alongside
the taskforce's work. The Partnership for Inclusion of
Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) programme, delivered with the
Department for Education, is helping teachers better identify and
support neurodiverse pupils and work with their families. By
March 2026, six in ten pupils will also have access to a Mental
Health Support Team in school.
Earlier this year NHSE also published the first publicly
available reporting on ADHD referrals and waiting times, helping
local teams understand performance and improve care. NHS England
is also supporting local areas to trial new and innovative ways
of delivering ADHD services.
NHS England will now review the Taskforce's final recommendations
with colleagues across government, building on progress already
made since the interim report to continue improving ADHD care
nationally.
