ADHD Diagnosis Rate in the UK
ADHD is an underdiagnosed condition in the UK.
A study of 9 million GP records showed just 0.32% had a diagnosis of ADHD. Meaning just 1 in 9 people with ADHD in the UK actually have a diagnosis of ADHD.
“Of the 9,561,450 people contributing eligible person-time, we identified 30,529 people with an ADHD diagnosis in their electronic health records (0.32% of the sample). Therefore, across the time period studied, around 1 in 300 people had an ADHD diagnosis [on their health record], approximately 1 in 9 of the likely true number of people with ADHD based on population-based surveys (2.8%)” [Journal Article Link]
“ADHD is only diagnosed when it is having a debilitating impact on your life. The over 2 million people who have ADHD and no diagnose are defacto struggling. A diagnosis, and the understanding and support that comes with it, could instead have them thriving. We need to increase access to ADHD Assessments in the UK to get people the help that can change their life”
have ADHD in the UK
patients in England receiving an ADHD prescription (Quarterly Data)
%
individuals in England who have ADHD receiving a prescription (Quarterly Data)
million undiagnosed people with ADHD in the UK. [ADHD UK Estimate]
ADHD Prescriptions by NHS ICB Area (England)
Analysis of ADHD prescription data from NHS Data shows wide variance in ADHD prescribing (and therefore ADHD diagnosis rate. There is an over three times difference between NHS Frimley in the South East – with a prescription rate equaivalent to 19.6% of their ADHD population – and NHS Humber and North Yorkshire – with a prescription rate of 6.1% of their ADHD populaton. In all cases the prescrption rate (and therefore ADHD diagnosis rate) is less than 1 in 5 of the actual ADHD population. This is clear evidence of under-diagnosis. [Data from NHS here]
ADHD Assessments and Medication in the Private Sector (England)
Currently, just over 1 in 5 patients receive their ADHD medication via a private prescription. This is higher than previously and likely driven by long wait times in NHS England, meaning patients feel they have no choice but to go privately. There have been additional issues of ADHD medication supply issues meaning prescriptions need to be changed quickly. Many have found their NHS simply incapable of that. We also see NHS GPs dropping their ADHD patients. Patients on the NHS have been finding themselves without appropriate care and feeling they have no choice but to go privately. (Please note for patients in England NHS Right to Choose maybe a useful option). [Data Source: BBC]