In November 2025, the Independent ADHD Taskforce published their final report, making a series of recommendations to the health system. Themes include improving early identification, integrated care, and equitable access to services.
Supporting children with neurodevelopmental conditions, including ADHD, is already embedded within paediatric training and clinical practice, and our members play a vital role in multidisciplinary pathways of care. Paediatricians are committed to ensuring that children and young people receive high-quality, evidence-based support that reflects their individual needs. This includes exploring opportunities to strengthen training where needed and to contribute to joined-up approaches across health, education, and social care as we move towards a neighbourhood health model.
We note the fourth recommendation around training and look forward to working with NHS England/DHSC and our fellow Royal Colleges to consider how we balance the need for specific learning opportunities with higher level capability-based curricula.
Children’s community health services have some of the longest NHS waits, with nearly 25% waiting over a year – with many waiting for neurodevelopmental care. The College welcomes the report’s recognition of the need for sustainable investment to meet current and future demand and underline that sufficient resource is essential to the success of any system change.
Dr Sam Jones, RCPCH Officer for Mental Health said:
As paediatricians, we often assess and support children with neurodevelopmental conditions ADHD can have a profound impact on children and young people, affecting their health, education, relationships, and long-term wellbeing. Timely identification and access to appropriate support are essential to mitigate these effects and promote positive development. Unfortunately, there is wide variation across the country on waiting times for referral and access to these vital services for children and young people, which must be reduced.
This report brings forward welcome measures to improve access to diagnosis and care. NHS England and the Department for Health and Social Care must now ensure that the recommendations are adequately financed and resourced with the right workforce so that the system safely and effectively make changes which will improve outcomes for those living with ADHD and ultimately therefore for society.
RCPCH remains committed to advocating for children and young people with ADHD, ensuring their voices are heard, and their needs are met within a system that is responsive, inclusive, and clinically robust.