Why are middle-class patients accessing ADHD diagnoses more easily?

Middle-class patients can access ADHD diagnoses more easily by using private clinics to bypass the long NHS waiting lists.

What is the postcode lottery for ADHD diagnoses?

The postcode lottery means that people in certain areas, like north-west London, are significantly more likely to be prescribed ADHD medication than those in other regions, such as Yorkshire.

How has the use of ADHD medications changed in the UK?

The prevalence of ADHD medications in the UK has tripled between 2010 and 2023, with a notable increase in prescriptions for adults, particularly women.

Home / Health / ADHD Diagnosis: Middle Class Gatecrashing NHS Lists?

ADHD Diagnosis: Middle Class Gatecrashing NHS Lists?

30 Jan

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Summary

Middle-class patients access ADHD diagnoses faster via private clinics.
A postcode lottery exists for ADHD diagnoses across England.
Adult ADHD diagnoses have seen a threefold increase since 2010.

ADHD Diagnosis: Middle Class Gatecrashing NHS Lists?

The NHS is experiencing a growing dependency on private clinics for ADHD diagnoses, disproportionately benefiting middle-class patients. These individuals can bypass extensive NHS waiting lists, which can stretch up to ten years, by seeking private assessments. This has resulted in a fivefold increase in medication prescriptions for adults from wealthier backgrounds over the past decade.

Analysis of NHS data highlights a stark postcode lottery, with individuals in north-west London being three times more likely to receive ADHD stimulant prescriptions than those in Yorkshire. Experts attribute this disparity to financial advantages, allowing those with means to access timely help while working-class individuals face greater difficulty.

The overall prevalence of ADHD medications in the UK has tripled between 2010 and 2023, with a substantial rise in adult prescriptions, notably among women. University of Oxford academics reported a more than 20-fold increase in adult females and a 15-fold increase in adult males aged 25 and over using these medications.