ADHD & Autism Assessments: Support for Tackling NHS Waiting Lists
Summary
ID Medical offers end-to-end ADHD and autism diagnostic services across adult and CYP pathways via the Countess of Chester Framework, enabling NHS organisations to address rising referral volumes and reduce waiting times with confidence.
Why Are NHS ADHD and Autism Referrals Increasing?
“New analysis reveals autism assessment and support crisis with tens of thousands of children waiting months and years for help after demand rockets by over 300% since Covid.”
— Child of the North Initiative Report (2023)
The surge in ADHD and autism referrals within the NHS is being driven by a complex mix of social awareness, systemic challenges, and evolving diagnostic practices. Here’s a breakdown of the key factors:
Rising Awareness and Recognition
- Public understanding has grown: More people now recognise symptoms of ADHD and autism, especially in adults and girls—groups historically underdiagnosed.
- Social media and advocacy: Online communities and influencers have helped normalise neurodiversity, encouraging individuals to seek formal diagnoses.
Systemic Pressures on the NHS
- Record-breaking referral numbers: As of March 2025, over 137,000 children were waiting for autism assessments and 316,000 for an ADHD assessment.
- Long waiting times: Average waits can stretch from 9 months to over 2.5 years, compared to just 4 months in 2019.
- Workforce shortages: There’s a lack of specialists like speech therapists and educational psychologists, which slows down assessments.
Referrals for ADHD and autism assessments continue to increase significantly year on year. NHS trusts and ICBs face mounting pressure to:
- Meet Right to Choose statutory responsibilities
- Improve access and equity in diagnostic services
- Expand capacity without compromising governance or quality
What Is the Countess of Chester Framework for ADHD and Autism Services?
The Countess of Chester Framework is an NHS England-accredited national procurement route hosted by Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. It enables fast, compliant access to autism and ADHD assessment services across England. This framework covers all six service lines for Adults, and Children and Young People (CYP).
It complements ID Medical’s existing position on the NHS SBS Mental Health Framework, offering trusts and ICBs a streamlined way to tackle long waits with safe, high-quality provision.
“Access to assessment shouldn’t depend on geography, capacity or whether a patient can navigate complex referral processes. This framework is a critical step in expanding access, improving equity and delivering on the NHS’s commitment to timely, person-centred care.”
— Gus Brimson, Operations Director, ID Medical
How Does ID Medical Help NHS Trusts Expand ADHD and Autism Assessment Capacity?
ID Medical offers scalable, clinically-led ADHD and autism assessments that integrate with existing NHS systems — helping providers respond to surges in referrals while maintaining governance and continuity.
“A quarter of parents waited more than three years to receive the correct diagnosis for their child. Many autistic children disengage from school or take exams without appropriate support.”
— The National Autistic Society (2024)
These delays aren’t just operational challenges — they affect mental health, education, and quality of life. ID Medical’s service ensures rapid access while maintaining local oversight.
How Are End-to-End ADHD and Autism Assessments Delivered by ID Medical?
Our ADHD/ASD diagnostic model is designed to preserve provider control while boosting capacity.
Service Components:
- Triage and clinical consultations
- Diagnostic assessments
- MDT reviews and clinical decision-making
- Final reporting and patient communication
- Insight reporting and QA documentation
All services are designed to align with NHS pathways and governance requirements, supporting audit-readiness and strategic planning.
Why Do NHS Providers Choose ID Medical for Diagnostic Services?
With over 20 years of NHS partnership experience, ID Medical is one of the UK’s most trusted providers of high-governance clinical assessments.
From clinical insourcing and diagnostics to mental health and DoLS assessments — our teams understand the operational, governance and workforce challenges facing healthcare providers today.
Our mental health division has grown significantly over recent years, and we are now positioned as one of the UK’s most experienced delivery partners for time-sensitive, high-governance clinical assessments. From specialist team deployment to full-service implementation, we work in close collaboration with our partners to ensure service continuity, data security and high-quality patient outcomes.
This new framework agreement is not just a reflection of our capability, but a call to action for NHS organisations seeking to expand capacity, reduce pressure, and deliver timely care in this critical area.
“This framework strengthens our ability to partner with NHS organisations to deliver responsive, patient-focused neurodevelopmental services. Together, we can reduce waiting times and improve access to ADHD and autism assessments – providing the right support at the right time.”
— Janay Harding, Deputy Operations Manager, ID Medical
Contact Our Clinical Services Team
If you’re exploring how best to reduce ADHD and autism assessment waiting lists, ID Medical offers:
- End-to-end assessments
- Scalable capacity solutions
- Clinically robust service delivery
📧 Email: clinicalservices@id-medical.com
📞 Phone: +44 (0) 1908 525 756
🌐 Web: www.id-medical.com/clinical-services
Last updated: August 2025
Author: Jamie Baker, Clinical Services Copywriter, ID Medical