Current position: Your ICB, NHS North East and North Cumbria (NENC), has set a budget for Psychiatry-UK, called an Indicative Activity Plan (IAP). The IAP limits the number of assessments we can deliver during 2026/27 and has been set on the basis of a 78-week waiting time for assessment. As a result, patients referred to Psychiatry-UK in North East and North Cumbria should expect to wait at least 78 weeks (approximately 18 months) from referral for an assessment. This position reflects the level of activity that NHS North East and North Cumbria ICB has asked Psychiatry-UK to deliver. It means that most patients in North East and North Cumbria will wait considerably longer for an assessment than Psychiatry-UK's general estimated NHS Right to Choose waiting times, and potentially longer than they expected when they were originally referred. The 78-week waiting time is not a guaranteed appointment date or maximum waiting time. We therefore cannot currently tell individual patients exactly when they will be invited to book their assessment and some patients may be seen sooner. More information about local waiting times and the ICB's approach is available on the NHS North East and North Cumbria ICB website. https://northeastnorthcumbria.nhs.uk/here-to-help-you/health-advice-and-support/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd-and-autism/

The budget set by your ICB has limited the number of assessments we can deliver during 2026/27. This means waiting times in your area are longer than our current estimated NHS Right to Choose waiting times. As a result, many patients may wait longer for an assessment than they were expecting when they were originally referred. In excess of 52 weeks means that patients may wait longer than one year from the date you were referred. At present, we are unable to give you a reliable maximum waiting time or tell you exactly when you will be invited to book your appointment. What happens next? Where we have already confirmed that your referral has been accepted, and you have completed your forms, you will remain on our waiting list. There is no need to contact us for an update. We will contact you via email and SMS as soon as we are able to progress your referral.

Psychiatry-UK reports 52+ weeks for ADHD in this area (above their 18-20 week standard).

The budget set by your ICB has limited the number of assessments we can deliver during 2026/27. This means waiting times in your area are longer than our current estimated NHS Right to Choose waiting times. As a result, many patients may wait longer for an assessment than they were expecting when they were originally referred. In excess of 52 weeks means that patients may wait longer than one year from the date you were referred. At present, we are unable to give you a reliable maximum waiting time or tell you exactly when you will be invited to book your appointment. What happens next? Where we have already confirmed that your referral has been accepted, and you have completed your forms, you will remain on our waiting list. There is no need to contact us for an update. We will contact you via email and SMS as soon as we are able to progress your referral.