To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that university students receive timely (a) referrals for assessment for and (b) diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
This answer is the replacement for a previous holding answer.
Answered on
2 May 2023
We recognise the importance of timely assessment and diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including for university students, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. The NICE guideline ‘Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management’ does not recommend a maximum waiting time standard from referral for an assessment of ADHD, however an assessment should be made as soon as possible.
In a recent Westminster Hall debate, 1 February 2023, I committed to look at how we can improve data on ADHD assessment waiting times, to help improve access to ADHD assessments in a timely way and in line with the NICE guideline.
We are supporting ICBs to expand mental health services through the NHS Long Term Plan, which commits to increasing investment into mental health services by at least £2.3 billion a year by 2023/24 so that an additional two million people can get the support they need.