Some adults are waiting five years to be assessed for ADHD because of a sharp rise in referrals, the BBC has found.

Assessments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can take longer than five years in Sussex and up to four years in Surrey, data from health bodies show.

Campaigners are calling for increased government investment to cut
waiting times and speed up diagnosis.

NHS bosses said increased awareness has put significant pressure on services.

Surrey and Borders NHS Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said referrals for assessment have risen from more than 2,200 in 2020/21 to over 4,400 in 2021/22.

Sussex Partnership NHS Trust said demand for services has “had an impact on waiting lists and we know that people are experiencing long waiting times”.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We are
increasing investment into mental health services by at least £2.3
billion a year by 2023/24 so an additional two million people can get
the support they need.”