Adults
1,727
adults waiting for an NHS ADHD assessment
At the current pace, a new referral to a local NHS service could wait about 6 years.
28th longest of 35 areas we have figures for. Middle of all areas: 12 years.
NHS area · Scotland
ADHD assessment in NHS Lothian
Figures come from our own Freedom of Information requests. Last updated 8 June 2026.
At a glance
Children and young people
No current figure
We don't yet have a recent waiting list figure for this area.
We don't have enough recent figures to estimate how long a new referral would wait.
Right to Choose
England only
Right to Choose does not apply in Scotland. Your GP refers you to your local NHS service.
We know of 1 restriction affecting access here. See details
How NHS Lothian compares with other areas
Each dot is one NHS area. Further right means a longer wait at the current pace.
Middle of all areas: 12 yearsThis area: about 6 years
010 yrs20 yrs30 yrs40 yrs50 yrs60 yrs70+ yrs
Middle of all areas: 2.7 years
04 yrs8 yrs12 yrs16+ yrs
What does "at the current pace" mean?
We divide the number of people waiting by the number of assessments the service did in the last year. It shows how long someone joining the list today could wait if nothing changes. It is an estimate, not a promise: services can speed up, and some people are seen sooner because of urgency. The NHS standard for non-urgent care is 18 weeks.
Local NHS services
The NHS services that assess people here, with their latest figures.
1,727 adults waiting across the whole area, according to the NHS Lothian (31 March 2025).
What they told us
NHS Lothian told us via FOI that they undertakes adult ADHD assessments. Key figures: 290 adult assessments in 2024/25; 1,765 adults currently waiting.
We don't have figures from individual NHS services here yet.
We don't have figures from individual NHS services here yet.
What is restricting access here
Rules the NHS here has put in place that limit who can be assessed, or how fast.
Adults and children
No clear local pathway
The local NHS cannot give ADHD waiting numbers or wait times for adults or children. People are placed on general assessment lists that are not specific to ADHD.
Know of a restriction we've missed? Tell us.
What you can do
1
Get updates for this area
We'll email you when new figures or restrictions are published for NHS Lothian, and when complaint letters are ready.
2
Write to the ICB and your MP
Letter templates for this area are being prepared. Sign up and we'll tell you when they're ready.
Coming soon3
Tell us something we've missed
A new restriction, a letter from your trust, a figure that looks wrong. It helps us keep this page accurate.
Sources and how we work
In May 2026 we sent Freedom of Information requests to 1 organisation here. 1 has replied: 0 in full, 1 in part.
| Organisation | Reply | Received | Document |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHS Lothian | not_held | 8 June 2026 | View |
Older figures and records (4)
- Jun 2026 NHS Lothian (adults) · SourceNHS Lothian told us via FOI (11478, letter dated 01/06/2026, received 08/06/2026) that it cannot provide ANY adult figures: most adults are on a non-specific "Neurodevelopmental Assessment" list and identifying who is waiting for ADHD specifically would require reviewing each patient's clinical notes (s.12 - cost). Pathway: referral -> screening and triage -> assessment waiting list -> assessment appointment.
- Jun 2026 NHS Lothian (children) · SourceNHS Lothian told us via FOI (11478, received 08/06/2026) that there are no ADHD-specific waiting lists for children and young people - all are on non-specific "Neurodevelopmental Assessment" lists, so neither waiting numbers nor wait times for ADHD can be provided (s.12).
- Mar 2023 NHS Lothian (adults): 323 waiting · SourceThe NHS Lothian told us via FOI that they did not provide a figure for how many adult ADHD assessments were carried out. around 323 adults were reported to be waiting for an ADHD assessment.
- Mar 2023 NHS Lothian (children) · SourceThe NHS Lothian told us via FOI that they did not provide a figure for how many child ADHD assessments were carried out. they did not provide a figure for how many children were waiting for an ADHD assessment.
NHS area map
NHS Lothian
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The exact boundary of NHS Lothian with its main towns. Select a neighbouring area to see its page.