CARE ADHD - Waiting times
Last updated: 12th November 11am
We know waiting can be stressful. At Care ADHD, we’re committed to being open and realistic about timelines so you know what to expect.
These are typical ranges from the last 90 days. Times may be shorter or longer depending on demand, capacity, and how quickly forms are completed.
💡 For comparison: published NHS data shows ADHD assessment waits can often be 12–24 months (sometimes longer, depending on region). At Care ADHD, we measure waits in weeks, not years.
🏥 NHS Patients (including Right to Choose)
Step | What happens | Average time |
|---|---|---|
1 | GP sends referral → We send you forms | ~1 week |
2 | You return forms → Booking team contacts you | ~8-10 weeks |
3 | Booking confirmed → ADHD assessment | ~2-4 weeks |
✅ Many NHS patients in October were seen within 8–12 weeks from referral to assessment, though some may experience longer waits depending on demand.
⚠️ Patients on the revalidation pathway may wait up to 10 weeks before hearing from the booking team due to high volumes.
👉 Want to learn more about the NHS Right to Choose pathway? Visit our Right to Choose page.
💳 Private Patients
Step | What happens | Average time |
|---|---|---|
1 | Payment made → We send you forms | 3–5 working days |
2 | You return forms → Booking team contacts you | ~1–2 weeks |
3 | Booking confirmed → ADHD assessment | ~2–4 weeks |
✅ Most private patients are seen within 6–8 weeks of payment, if forms are submitted promptly.
⚠️ If you book privately but later submit an NHS referral (including RTC), your private appointment will be cancelled and your NHS referral will be used instead (from the date your GP sent it). This keeps things fair, as NHS and private capacity are funded separately.
💊 Titration (Medication Pathway)
If you’ve received a diagnosis and wish to begin medication:
Step | What happens | Current average |
|---|---|---|
1 | Final outcome letter received → You confirm no changes are needed | 1–2 weeks* |
2 | Titration request logged → Review and next steps | 10-14 weeks |
3 | Appointment confirmed → First titration session | Within 3 weeks |
* If you request amendments to your report, this process may take longer before titration can begin.
⚠️ Why the Wait Is Longer Than Expected
We know this wait feels long, especially when you’ve already completed your assessment and are ready to start treatment. The current delay is due to several factors that are affecting most ADHD services nationally:
High national demand for ADHD medication – unprecedented referral volumes since early 2024 have led to a backlog across both NHS and private services.
Clinical safety checks – every case must be reviewed by a prescriber before titration can begin, ensuring physical health information, medication suitability, and any co-existing conditions are all safely considered.
We appreciate this has a real impact on people’s daily lives. While we can’t skip any safety steps, we are doing everything possible to bring the wait down.
🔧 What We’re Doing to Improve
We’re continually reviewing and improving our systems to make your journey smoother and faster.
This includes:
Expanding clinical and administrative capacity.
Streamlining processes to reduce waiting between steps.
Introducing new tools to give patients greater clarity and visibility.
These changes are already helping to improve turnaround times, and we’ll continue to share updates as further progress is made.
📬 Why You Might Not Have Heard Yet
Delays are often caused by:
Referrals missing key information (e.g. contact details).
Forms not completed in full.
Patients not answering calls when we reach out to book.
High volume of duplicate emails/calls, which slows everyone’s response time.
✅ To avoid delays:
Save our number +44 20 4525 0709 so you don’t miss our call.
Avoid sending repeat emails unless your wait has gone past the averages above.
📣 Contacting Us
We are currently responding to general queries sent 1-2 weeks ago, in the order received.
If your referral or payment was made more recently, please wait before contacting us; chasing too early slows the queue for everyone.
❤️ Thank You
We’re proud to deliver high-quality ADHD care at scale, and we’re always improving.
Thank you for your patience. We’ll be with you every step of the way.