Adult Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) care in London is at a tipping point. Demand is surging, waiting lists are growing, and fragmented pathways are leaving thousands underserved. Yet, amid this challenge lies a profound opportunity: to shift the dial and reimagine ADHD treatment, so it is no longer viewed as a cost pressure, but as one of the most high-value interventions in mental health.
Although an estimated 3.5% of UK adults live with ADHD, only 2% of mental health budgets are allocated to direct care. In London, just 16% receive pharmacological treatment— yet non-pharmacological interventions may be equally effective, though national data remains limited.
Lord Darzi’s 2024 review of the NHS in England underscored a critical challenge: rising demand for ADHD assessments, treatment and on-going care risks are overwhelming the system and contributing to poor health outcomes. In response, NHS England established an independent ADHD Taskforce to catalyse change across health, education, justice, and society. Its remit is ambitious, working in partnership with government, the NHS, the voluntary sector, and experts by experience to identify and recommend improvements in care for people living with ADHD.
A system-wide imperative
Timely and effective ADHD treatment and care is not just clinically imperative—it’s a system-wide catalyst for inclusion, prevention, and improved health and care outcomes. When appropriate evidence-based treatment is combined with psychosocial interventions and holistic support, it unlocks transformative outcomes for people living with ADHD: safer lives, improved health and well-being, and greater societal contribution. The value case is compelling and scalable. Yet commissioning conversations often overlook this broader impact and difference made. ADHD remains framed as a demand management challenge, rather than a strategic opportunity to deliver system-wide benefit. This narrative must shift.
London’s next phase
Transformation Partners in Health and Care (TPHC) is working in partnership with NHS England London to lead the next phase of adult ADHD transformation programme. Our discovery work—spanning stakeholder interviews, evidence reviews, and horizon scanning—surfaced key opportunities for innovation, including digital triage, shared care models, and workforce development.
Two strategic workstreams are now underway:
- Commissioning and accreditation
We’re supporting the development of pan-London pathway tariffs across assessment, titration, and ongoing care—aligned with national efforts to introduce a standardised ADHD tariff. This includes:
- integrating NICE/AQAS standards for consistency across age groups
- co-producing service specification standards for regional adoption
- improving the interface with private providers and Right to Choose pathways including alignment with the Health Family eCommercial System (Atamis) pilot
- Primary and shared care models
We’re supporting the expansion of primary care’s role in ADHD pathways—both pre- and post-diagnosis. By upskilling GPs, pharmacists and allied health professionals, we can unlock system capacity, embed localised non-pharmacological interventions, and deliver holistic, person-centred care. Primary care also faces high demands and pressures, yet there is clearly appetite among primary care professionals to contribute meaningfully. The right training, funding, and indemnity, can enable invested primary care colleagues to have a role in shaping this sustainable system improvement.
”TPHC’s support in advancing the NHSE London ADHD programme has been great so far. Their expertise in strategic transformation and service improvement will enable meaningful, sustained improvements across the pathway—ensuring people receive the right interventions and care to help them thrive in every aspect of life.”
Maria O’Brien, Chief Executive of West London NHS Trust and Senior Responsible Officer for the NHSE London ADHD Programme:
Partnering for Impact: scaling innovation across England
TPHC brings deep expertise in transformation, digital, and strategic delivery. We’re proud to support London’s journey—working alongside partners to reimagine ADHD treatment and care as a catalyst for innovation, inclusion, and lasting change.
TPHC’s work is readily scalable and positioned for optimisation across health and care systems nationwide. If you’re operating in this space and keen to explore how we can support your system’s transformation, we’d welcome the opportunity to connect.
About the author
Alison is a Principal Consultant at TPHC, leading the London ADHD transformation programme alongside a highly skilled team. She has a proven track record in delivering complex, multi-system transformation programmes that drive sustainable improvements in health and care outcomes for the last 18 years.
Committed to inclusive leadership and partnership-building, Alison helps stakeholders achieve their ambitions while fostering long-standing, trusted relationships across London and beyond.
As a counsellor with a special interest in ADHD and Autism, she champions inclusion and supports young people to thrive in the workplace—empowering them to bring their whole selves to work.
About TPHC
TPHC is an internal NHS consultancy. We provide a range of consulting services including strategy; transformation; and digital, analytics and technology to the NHS, public sector and VCSE organisations.
To arrange a conversation about how we can support you and your organisation. Please reach out through our Contact form and a member of the team will be in touch with you.