We’re temporarily stopping new referrals to Adult ADHD from 1 December 2025
From 1 December 2025, Berkshire Healthcare will temporarily stop accepting new referrals to our Adult ADHD Service.
This difficult decision has been made in discussion with our local Integrated Care Boards (the organisations responsible for planning health services in their local area) to make sure we can continue to provide safe, effective and sustainable care for people who already use the service.
We know this news may be worrying, and we want to explain why this step is necessary and what it means for you.
Why we’re making this change
Over the past few years, demand for adult ADHD assessments and ongoing care has grown much faster than anyone anticipated. The service now receives more referrals in a single month than it was originally commissioned to assess in a whole year.
We have also been affected by national medication shortages.
This situation has become unsustainable, so we’re temporarily stopping new referrals to protect patient safety by focusing on those currently under our care and redesigning the service for the future.
What this means for you
If you’ve already been referred for an ADHD assessment or have received a diagnosis and you’re waiting to start medication, you’ll stay on our waiting list, you don’t need to do anything.
If you’re on ADHD medication and being reviewed by our Adult ADHD team, your care will continue as normal. During this period, we’re prioritising medication reviews to make sure everyone’s treatment is safe and effective.
If you’re transitioning from children’s ADHD services to adult services, this will go continue as planned. You don’t need to do anything.
If you were planning to seek a referral, please still speak to your GP. They can offer advice, support, and information about managing symptoms and accessing other sources of help while referrals are temporarily closed.
Support and information
There are various websites you can visit for support and guidance, as well as a number of organisations that can help you.
Visit our ADHD service page to see our support leaflets
Visit ADHD UK for strategies, support guides, and advice
Visit Reading ADHD Group for support in the Reading and Berkshire area
Visit ADDitude for articles on research, strategies, and advice
Visit ADHDadultUK, who are a charity for adults with ADHD, run by adults with ADHD
Visit Staywell-BOB.nhs.uk for advice and support to help yourself manage ADHD
How long will referrals be closed?
There isn’t a fixed end date yet. The service will reopen for new referrals once it’s safe, stable, and sustainable to do so.
We’ll share regular updates on this webpage and through local partners as the redesign progresses.
Looking ahead
We’re not closing the Adult ADHD service. This temporary, safety-focused measure will allow us to focus on patients currently under our care, and design a better, more sustainable ADHD pathway for the future.
We’re working with service users, GPs, local authorities, and voluntary organisations to make sure the redesigned service meets people’s needs across Berkshire.
Need more information?
If you have a question that isn’t answered here, please contact our team.