Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to provide additional funding and workforce planning support to Integrated Care Boards to reduce waiting times for children with ADHD assessments and treatment.

NHS England is responsible for determining allocations of financial resources to integrated care boards (ICBs). Funding for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism assessment services are included within NHS England’s financial allocations to ICBs.

The Government has recognised that, nationally in England, demand for assessments for ADHD has grown significantly in recent years and that people of all ages, including children and young people, are experiencing delays accessing such assessments.

The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan for England will make the National Health Service fit for the future, recognising the need for early intervention and support, including for children and young people, such as those with special educational needs and disabilities.

Through the NHS Medium Term Planning Framework, published 24 October, NHS England has set clear expectations for local ICBs and trusts to improve access, experience, and outcomes for autism and ADHD services over the next three years, focusing on improving quality and productivity.

NHS England established an ADHD taskforce which brought together those with lived experience with experts from the NHS, education, charity, and justice sectors to get a better understanding of the challenges affecting those with ADHD, including in accessing services and support. The final report was published on 6 November 2025, and we are carefully considering its recommendations.

Building on the work of the Independent ADHD Taskforce, on 4 December 2025, my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The review will inform our approach so that people with ADHD and autistic people have the right support in place to enable them to live well in their communities.