Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to track (a) the number of ADHD diagnoses, (b) the waiting times for an ADHD diagnosis and (c) the number by region of ADHD diagnoses.

Information on the number of people with a diagnosis of ADHD, or whose ADHD has not been diagnosed, is not collected centrally and no estimate has been made.

NHS services should be following guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on ‘Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management (NICE guideline 87)’, which was revised in April 2018. This covers recognising, diagnosing and managing ADHD in children, young people and adults. It aims to improve recognition and diagnosis, as well as the quality of care and support for people with ADHD.

The Department has commissioned NHS Digital to survey the prevalence of mental health disorders in children and young people. The survey report is expected in autumn 2018 and will include a chapter on hyperactivity disorders. Having more up-to-date information on prevalence will ensure the local National Health Service can plan appropriate service provision.