How Long is the NHS ADHD Waiting List in London in 2026?

If you’re waiting for an NHS ADHD assessment in London, you’re likely looking at years — not months. Here’s what the current data actually shows, and what your options are.

How Long Is the NHS ADHD Wait in London Right Now?

There’s no single official figure for London, but the picture from trust-level data and national FOI requests is consistent: adult NHS ADHD waits in London are among the worst in England.

For most Londoners, a realistic expectation in 2026 is 3+ years for a first assessment. In some parts of London and the South East, quoted waits reach 5–7 years. That’s not a typo.

Central & North West London NHS Trust (CNWL) — one of the biggest ADHD services in the capital — closed its waiting list entirely in November 2023. If you were referred after that point, you can’t even get on the list, let alone start counting your wait time.

Nationally, ADHD UK’s October 2024 report (based on FOI data across England) found adult ADHD waits ranging from about 12 weeks to five years or more — a postcode lottery rather than anything resembling a system. A BBC investigation from July 2024 estimated at least 196,000 adults were on NHS ADHD waiting lists across the UK, with that figure likely an underestimate because not all services responded.

What Are Your Actual Options in London?

There are three realistic pathways for adults in London right now.

Standard local NHS ADHD service — free, but the wait is years. Some services have closed lists entirely. If your GP refers you to CNWL, you may not be able to join any list at all.

NHS Right to Choose — this is the option most people don’t know about. Under NHS England rules, adults registered with an English GP can ask to be referred to an approved independent provider instead of their local trust. Psychiatry-UK, one of the main Right to Choose providers, currently quotes 32–40 weeks (roughly 8–10 months) for an initial adult ADHD assessment, plus a further 44–52 weeks for medication titration. Still not fast, but it’s measured in months rather than years — and it’s still free on the NHS. Ask your GP to refer you via Right to Choose specifically.

Fully private assessment — the fastest route. Most private clinics in London and across the UK can see you within 1–8 weeks from booking, with many quoting 1–4 weeks. The assessment itself typically runs 60–90 minutes, with a written report delivered within a couple of weeks after that. AUDHD Psychiatry’s 2025 guide puts the UK average private waiting time at around 43 days. You’ll pay out of pocket, but you won’t spend years in limbo.

NHS vs Private: A Quick Comparison

One caveat worth flagging: these figures change as services open and close lists, so always check your specific trust or Right to Choose provider directly for current times.

Why the Wait Is So Long

Demand has outpaced capacity for years. Referral rates have risen sharply — partly driven by better awareness, partly by the pandemic’s effect on mental health and productivity. Services that were already stretched have been swamped, and there’s been no proportionate increase in clinical staffing or funding to match.

The result is what ADHD UK called a “postcode lottery” — whether you wait 12 weeks or 7 years depends almost entirely on where in England you happen to live or which service your GP defaults to. In London, where demand is high and several major trusts have closed their lists, the situation is particularly bad.

How Find Health London Can Help

Find Health London lists CQC-registered private ADHD clinics and psychiatry services across London, so you can compare options, check current availability, and find a provider that suits your needs and budget.

If you’re done waiting and want to explore private assessment, browse our ADHD services directory to find accredited clinics near you.