Some NHS services in England are introducing measures that can require people referred for suspected ADHD and autism assessments to wait as long as two years, according to analysis cited by multiple outlets.
The reporting describes stricter internal pathways or scheduling rules being applied in certain areas, with a published map highlighting where delays are worst. The coverage focuses on potential impacts for patients and families seeking early diagnosis, particularly those waiting for specialist assessment through NHS pathways.
While the outlets emphasize the extent of delays and how uneven provision appears across different localities, they rely on the same core premise: that certain NHS bodies are setting or effectively enforcing long minimum waiting periods for assessment. The analysis is presented as a snapshot of where resources and processes are creating the longest timelines, rather than a uniform policy across all of England.
