Question Mark Over NHS ADHD Services
The Crisis No One Prepared Us For
It’s official — ADHD services across England are closing their doors to new NHS patients.
Recent reports reveal that several NHS trusts have stopped accepting new referrals entirely, while others are introducing stricter eligibility criteria — limiting who can even get on a waiting list.
NHS England has acknowledged that demand has “outstripped capacity,” with more than 550,000 people currently waiting for an assessment according to The Guardian.
As someone who’s worked on the frontline of mental health and now coaches women with ADHD every day, I can tell you — this isn’t just a ‘bit of a backlog’.
It’s a breaking point.
The Reality Behind the Headlines
The ADHD Taskforce’s final report confirmed what many of us already knew: services are overwhelmed. It called for “new models of diagnosis” and better collaboration across health, education, and justice systems.
But that reform will take years — and in the meantime, tens of thousands of women are left stranded in limbo.
For women, this isn’t just about access. It’s about identity, self-trust, and survival.
The women I work with aren’t asking for special treatment — they’re asking to be seen, understood, and supported before their lives unravel.
What This Means for Neurodivergent Women
ADHD has always been underdiagnosed in women.
Many of us grew up believing we were “too emotional,” “lazy,” or “bad at adulting,” when really, we were just masking — and masking is exhausting.
Now, as awareness spreads, women are finally reaching out — and the system is saying: sorry, but tough luck — we can’t help you right now.
And as a result…
– Emotional burnout from chasing referrals and hitting dead ends.
– Self-doubt and shame resurfacing because the system’s silence feels personal.
– Financial stress from paying privately for what should be a basic service.
Let’s be clear: relying solely on the NHS right now will cause more stress to women.
The uncertainty, the waiting, and the emotional toll of being in limbo can be devastating.
We absolutely don’t need more stress.
The Uncomfortable Truth About Options
So what can women actually do when the NHS shuts its doors?
1. Can you access funded support without a diagnosis?
Yes — in some cases.
Programmes like Access to Work can fund ADHD coaching if your symptoms impact your job, even without a formal diagnosis.
Some local wellbeing services (like the Making Space Hub in Stockport) also offer mental health and creative wellbeing programmes.
2. Are women being pushed into private assessments?
Absolutely. Many feel they have no choice.
But private assessments can cost £800–£1,200, and follow-up medication can double that.
For women already juggling bills, kids, and survival, that’s not realistic — and it doesn’t seem fair.
3. Will the NHS accept shared care?
Sometimes — but inconsistently.
Shared care is where a GP continues prescribing medication after a private psychiatrist starts treatment.
But many GPs are refusing to take on shared care agreements, citing workload, risk, or funding barriers.
That leaves women paying hundreds per month for private prescriptions long-term.
This patchwork system means that access to care now depends on postcode, privilege, and persistence.
My Professional Take
I’ve worked in both public and private sectors.
I’ve seen what happens when women are told to wait — years, sometimes — for the help they need today.
The truth is, we can’t afford to keep waiting.
While systemic reform is necessary, women need practical, trauma-informed, holistic support now — not when the next government taskforce finishes its consultation.
ADHD doesn’t pause while you’re on a waiting list.
But healing, understanding, and empowerment can begin long before medication does.
That’s where coaching, movement, and wellbeing communities fill the gap.
How Women Can Holistically Support Themselves Now
If you’re stuck in the waiting game, here’s what you can do:
– Get to know your ADHD now. Learn your patterns, triggers, and strengths. Journaling, creative self-reflection, and nervous system education can change everything.
– Work with a trauma-informed ADHD coach. You don’t need a diagnosis to benefit from coaching. A good coach helps you build self-trust, routines, and self-compassion.
– Use Access to Work. If you’re employed or self-employed, this government scheme can fund specialist coaching and equipment for people with neurodivergent traits.
– Build your village. Join local groups, creative wellbeing sessions, or ADHD-friendly communities such as The NeuroMagic Club.
– Focus on nervous system safety. Through movement, yoga, breathwork, and creativity, you can reduce burnout and regulate emotions — with or without medication.
You don’t need to wait for a diagnosis to start feeling better.
What Needs to Change
We need the NHS to acknowledge that ADHD support isn’t a luxury — it’s a lifeline.
– Invest in prevention, not crisis. Early coaching and wellbeing support reduce later healthcare costs.
– Standardise shared care. So women aren’t penalised for going private.
– Recognise coaching as part of the continuum of care. Because emotional regulation and self-awareness are as essential as prescriptions.
A Final Word: The System Is Broken — (Defo) Not You
You don’t need to wait for someone in a suit to decide you’re “eligible” for help.
You can start today — by learning, moving, connecting, and taking gentle ownership of your wellbeing.
I believe that every woman deserves support that doesn’t start with a form or end in a waiting list.
That’s why I built Well Happy Minds and The NeuroMagic Club — spaces where women with wild, beautiful, busy minds can finally feel seen and start thriving.
🌿 If this resonates…
Join me for upcoming ADHD coaching events and creative wellbeing workshops — both online and across Greater Manchester.
Because while the system is catching up — we don’t have to wait to heal.
