FOI 2026/1878

Figures requested for Stockport only.

I am interested in knowing what the official criteria for adult adhd assessments and guidance for the ICB, please could you provide this. I would also like to know how assessments are offered. I would like to know what proportion of people on the waiting list were offered funding in April 2026, and using this metric, how long it would take for all on the waiting list to be seen, given the number of people the NHS currently sees a year (bearing in mind Stockport does not take new referrals) and excluding previous years right to choose which has skewed the figures, i.e. how long the wait time is if funding and demand stays the same, and a referral is not prioritised, both for children and adult separately, I would also like to know whether there is a difference in how adult or child assessments are offered, what proportion of both child and adult separately are offered an assessment from this years budget, and if there is a difference is this based on clinical need, or pressure to fulfil council statutory duty.

1. I am interested in knowing what the official criteria for adult ADHD assessments and guidance for the ICB. Please could you provide this.

The referral criteria for adult ADHD assessments are as follows:

• Referrals are accepted only from registered healthcare professionals, including GPs, secondary mental health services, or community-based clinicians.
• Referrals must include:
  • a completed ADHD screening tool (for example, the ASRS v1.1 or equivalent);
  • relevant clinical history; and
  • a physical health summary from the GP, including arrangements for the management of controlled drugs and clearly defined roles and responsibilities relating to prescribing.

The referral criteria are informed by the relevant NICE guidance for ADHD.

2. I would also like to know how assessments are offered.

Adult ADHD assessments are offered following acceptance of a referral that meets the above criteria. Once a referral has been accepted, individuals are offered an assessment in accordance with the commissioned service pathway.

3. I would like to know what proportion of people on the waiting list were offered funding in April 2026, and using this metric, how long it would take for all on the waiting list to be seen, given the number of people the NHS currently sees a year (bearing in mind Stockport does not take new referrals) and excluding previous years’ Right to Choose activity (i.e. how long the wait time is if funding and demand stays the same, and a referral is not prioritised), both for children and adults separately.

The ICB does not hold the information requested.

Specifically, the ICB does not hold:

• waiting list numbers for ADHD assessments;
• separate waiting list information for adults and children and young people (CYP);
• information on the proportion of people on the waiting list who were offered funding in April 2026; or
• recorded information that would enable it to calculate projected waiting times based on current funding levels, activity, demand, or the assumptions set out in your request.

Accordingly, under section 1(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the ICB confirms that it does not hold the requested information.

This information would need to be accessed from those providers who deliver ADHD assessments.  Please see list below:

4. I would also like to know whether there is a difference in how adult or child assessments are offered.

Yes. The referral and assessment pathways differ between adults and children and young people (CYP), reflecting the recommendations within the relevant NICE guidance.

For adult ADHD assessments:

• Referrals are accepted only from registered healthcare professionals, including GPs, secondary mental health services, or community-based clinicians.
• Referrals must include a completed ADHD screening tool (for example, the ASRS v1.1 or equivalent), relevant clinical history, and a physical health summary from the GP, including arrangements for the management of controlled drugs.

For children and young people (CYP), assessments are multidisciplinary and typically require information from multiple settings. In line with NICE guidance, assessments normally include:

• information from parents or carers;
• information from the child’s educational setting (such as school or college), including reports from teachers or other education professionals where available;
• developmental, behavioural and clinical history; and
• assessment of symptoms and impairment across more than one setting.

The requirement for information from an educational setting is a key difference between the CYP and adult pathways. For adults, information from employment or education may be considered where relevant but is not routinely a referral requirement.

5. I would also like to know what proportion of both child and adult assessments separately are offered from this year’s budget.

The ICB does not hold the requested information. This information would need to be accessed from those providers who deliver ADHDF assessments.  Please see list in response to Q3

The ICB holds an overall programme budget and does not separately record budget allocations or expenditure by:

• ADHD and autism; or
• adult and children and young people (CYP) services.

Consequently, the ICB is unable to provide the proportions requested.

Accordingly, under section 1(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the ICB confirms that it does not hold this information.

6. If there is a difference, is this based on clinical need, or pressure to fulfil council statutory duty?

The ICB does not commission services on the basis of local authority statutory duties. Statutory duties relating to education and social care rest with the relevant local authority rather than the ICB.

The ICB’s commissioning decisions are informed by a range of factors, including local population health needs and prevalence, assessment of clinical priorities, available resources, and the development of the ICB’s commissioning intentions.

As the ICB does not hold separate budget or activity information for adult and children and young people (CYP) ADHD services, it is not possible to determine whether any differences in commissioning or service provision are attributable to a single factor.