‘People are desperate’: ADHD clinicians in England on a system in chaos
Sector is overwhelmed by demand and expanding faster than administrative structures can support

TL;DR
- Clinicians in private ADHD clinics report massive workloads, working double their contracted hours.
- Reports sent to patients and GPs were often completed by administrative staff, not the clinicians themselves.
- Administrative systems are struggling, leading to unanswered calls, piled-up emails, and stalled prescription requests.
- Transitions from private treatment to NHS shared care face weeks or months of delays.
- An estimated 70-80% of private ADHD assessments do not meet required standards, leading to patient dissatisfaction.
- The private ADHD sector is overwhelmed by demand, expanding faster than its support structures can safely manage.