wrans/answers2025-12-02 conversation_73
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-02 conversation_73

Clive Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to (a) swiftly reopen referrals to the Adult ADHD Service at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust once they close on 1 December 2025, and (b) ensure that Adult ADHD Services in Berkshire have sufficient resources to remain open. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has confirmed that the adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) service is not closing. From 1 December 2025, the trust will temporarily stop accepting new referrals. The trust has taken this short-term measure to protect patient safety and ensure the service can continue providing safe and effective care. Referrals will reopen once the immediate pressures are resolved and the redesign work is complete. This difficult decision was made locally following discussion with the integrated care boards (ICBs), the Frimley ICB and the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West ICB.

The pause has been introduced because demand for ADHD assessments and ongoing support has risen significantly in recent years, both locally and nationally, far beyond the level the service was originally resourced to deliver. This has led to long waits and a substantial number of overdue annual ADHD reviews. Temporarily pausing new referrals will allow Berkshire Healthcare to prioritise the provision of a safe service for existing patients, complete essential reviews, and support a sustainable redesign of the service.

The trust will continue to provide care for people already receiving treatment. Those already referred for assessment or medication will remain on the waiting list, and the transition of care from the children’s ADHD service to adult ADHD services will continue. General practitioners (GPs) continue to be able to refer to Right to Choose providers for assessment and diagnosis of ADHD for adults. Berkshire Healthcare is committed to working closely with system partners to ensure the adult ADHD service is able to deliver sustainable, high-quality care and to enable the reopening of referrals as soon as it is clinically appropriate.

The ICB is leading an adult ADHD service transformation programme which has been shaped by experts by experience, clinicians, and managers from the Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. It is expected that the implementation of the new service model will start in 2026/27. An increase in resources has already been agreed to support GPs in participating in shared care, and work is underway to prioritise investment in the new service model for 2026/27.

The Government has recognised that, nationally in England, demand for assessments for ADHD has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe 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.

It is the responsibility of ICBs in England to make appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to ADHD assessment and treatment, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.

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 timely and equitable access to services and support. We are pleased that the taskforce's final report was published in November, and we are carefully considering its recommendations.