Henry Shelford, CEO and Co-Founder of ADHD UK, was quoted in the article and provided background information.
A proposed change to welfare rules by the UK’s Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) would require people claiming support for severe long-term conditions such as ADHD to have an NHS-issued diagnosis only, excluding those who have had a private diagnosis — a route many have been forced down because of long NHS waiting lists. This approach could leave adults who cannot access NHS assessment with no route to disability support through Universal Credit (UC) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP). In parts of the country, some NHS boards have already paused ADHD referrals for adults, meaning private services are the only option — only to be disqualified under the new rules.
Henry Shelford, CEO of ADHD UK, criticised the move and highlighted its potential danger, noting the high risk associated with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD, saying:
“We know one in 10 men and boys and one in four women and girls with ADHD will at some point try to take their own life, so we know there’s a danger.”
Shelford also emphasised the importance of diagnosis for accessing medication and support, and called the policy discriminatory, warning it could set a precedent that further disadvantages people with neurodevelopmental conditions.
You can read the full article here: https://www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/2025/07/09/dwp-adhd-diagnosis/
