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Recent national reporting highlights growing pressure across ADHD services. Spending on private providers has increased from £16 million in 2022/23 to £58 million in 2024/25 (a 255% rise), with 32 ICBs forecasting £164 million in overspend for ADHD assessments (Patient Experience Library report).
Alongside this, concerns have been raised about oversight, data gaps and reliance on private provision, pointing to a system struggling to meet demand.
Local insight from Kent and Medway shows how these pressures are being experienced on the ground.
Our report, ‘ADHD in Kent and Medway, April 2026’, draws on 133 local experiences and identifies three key issues:
Gaps in information and support
Long assessment waiting times
Challenges accessing medication
These issues are interconnected, with limited support often making long waits harder to manage. Many people report receiving little or no support while waiting, affecting both mental health and everyday life.
Waiting times are one of the most significant concerns. In our findings, 94% of feedback on waiting times was negative, with people describing feeling “stuck” without access to support.
Reported waits range from two to seven years in Kent and Medway, with additional delays caused by issues at referral stage, sometimes referred to as a “hidden waiting list”.
This reflects the same demand pressures identified nationally, but at a very personal level it is impacting people’s ability to work, study and manage daily life.
The national shift towards private provision is also reflected locally. Some residents turn to private or Right to Choose routes to access faster assessment.
However, cost remains a major barrier, meaning many cannot take this option. This raises questions about equity, as access to timely care can vary depending on personal circumstances.
Even after diagnosis, access issues continue. Medication is often described as highly effective for managing symptoms, but people report long waits to begin treatment and difficulties accessing medication reviews.
This suggests that pressure in the system extends beyond initial diagnosis, affecting the full ADHD care pathway.
Taken together, national and local evidence point to a system under sustained pressure. Rising demand, increasing reliance on private provision and long waiting times are reflected both in national data and in the lived experiences of people locally.
Improving ADHD services is likely to require not just increased capacity, but clearer pathways, more consistent communication and better support throughout the process.
For more information, read our full ADHD report or get in touch with our team on hello@ek360.co.uk.
