The UK's ADHD system has reached a breaking point as patients are stuck in limbo between private diagnoses and NHS care. For those who have been down this road, it can be frustratingly familiar.
For Sameer Modha, an experienced advocate on ADHD issues, the current system is "damned if you do and damned if you don't." On one hand, opting for a private provider can provide quicker access to diagnosis – but at a steep cost in time, money, and stress. His own children were diagnosed privately, but the assessment was rejected by the NHS due to non-compliance with guidelines set by Nice. The wait for reconfirmation through the NHS was nothing short of "constant hassling."
The trend is not unique to Modha's experience. NHS trusts are reporting that patients assessed privately are being sent back into NHS services in increasing numbers, leaving them struggling to cope with long waiting lists and reduced capacity for new cases. One trust has likened this situation to a "gateway" that leads nowhere.
Regulatory bodies have taken notice of the chaos caused by private providers operating under the right-to-choose policy. ADHDNet, a suspended provider from Norfolk, cited service management issues as its reason for being taken off the list. NHS Greater Manchester's adult ADHD services are facing an unprecedented crisis with over 25,000 adults waiting for assessments.
Critics argue that diagnosis has become the sole gateway to support – despite many people needing help without requiring specialized assessment. To tackle this, a central triage hub is being introduced to standardize decisions and reduce pressure on specialist services. Community-based support will also be expanded to enable patients to access help earlier while waiting.
Ultimately, the system's failure leaves patients in limbo – damned between two worlds: those who opt for private diagnoses but face uncertainty about integration with NHS care, or those who wait patiently through the NHS but risk treatment gaps and preventable harms.
For Sameer Modha, an experienced advocate on ADHD issues, the current system is "damned if you do and damned if you don't." On one hand, opting for a private provider can provide quicker access to diagnosis – but at a steep cost in time, money, and stress. His own children were diagnosed privately, but the assessment was rejected by the NHS due to non-compliance with guidelines set by Nice. The wait for reconfirmation through the NHS was nothing short of "constant hassling."
The trend is not unique to Modha's experience. NHS trusts are reporting that patients assessed privately are being sent back into NHS services in increasing numbers, leaving them struggling to cope with long waiting lists and reduced capacity for new cases. One trust has likened this situation to a "gateway" that leads nowhere.
Regulatory bodies have taken notice of the chaos caused by private providers operating under the right-to-choose policy. ADHDNet, a suspended provider from Norfolk, cited service management issues as its reason for being taken off the list. NHS Greater Manchester's adult ADHD services are facing an unprecedented crisis with over 25,000 adults waiting for assessments.
Critics argue that diagnosis has become the sole gateway to support – despite many people needing help without requiring specialized assessment. To tackle this, a central triage hub is being introduced to standardize decisions and reduce pressure on specialist services. Community-based support will also be expanded to enable patients to access help earlier while waiting.
Ultimately, the system's failure leaves patients in limbo – damned between two worlds: those who opt for private diagnoses but face uncertainty about integration with NHS care, or those who wait patiently through the NHS but risk treatment gaps and preventable harms.
! It's like we're stuck in limbo between these huge financial costs and then even more stress trying to get sorted out through the NHS... I've seen people go private, but their assessments get rejected by the NHS because of some stupid rules 
. And meanwhile, patients are just being sent back and forth between these services without any real support or help. We need to figure out a better system where we can actually access proper care without breaking the bank 
! I mean, it's crazy that one trust is saying that private providers are literally leading people nowhere 
... and now they're introducing some kind of triage hub to try and standardize things? That's a start, at least 
. We need more community-based support so patients can get help before their assessments even come up 
. It's just not fair that these people are being left in this limbo for so long 
...
And what about those who don't need specialized assessments but still need support? We need community-based services that can catch people before they hit rock bottom. This triage hub idea sounds promising, but we'll see how it plays out 
... 
. if people can't even get diagnosed properly in 2 years, what does that say about our priorities? and the fact that some NHS trusts are saying they can't cope with all these assessments is just a red flag for us to rethink how we're supporting our most vulnerable citizens. let's invest in prevention rather than just fixing the problems after they arise 
.
Can't we just have one system that works? I feel bad for all these patients who are struggling to get help because of this mess.
. At least someone's finally taking notice and trying to fix it. That triage hub idea sounds like a good start 
. And community-based support is a great way to help people before they even need that special assessment. Fingers crossed it all works out and we can get some real progress on this 
... it's just not working. We need a central hub to help sort things out and make sure people get the support they need sooner 
... gotta do better, UK! 
I mean, what's up with this system, right? It's like they're trying to drive people crazy! 
I mean, can't we just make it easier for people to get help?
. And then there's the NHS route, which is supposed to be free but often takes forever... it's just not right 
. I think a central triage hub could help streamline things, but what about those who need more general support? Like, mental health stuff that doesn't require specialist diagnosis? 
it feels like the system is designed 2 drive ppl crazy