How our service can help you
ADHD service for adults
Demand for ADHD assessments and treatment is rising significantly across the country. In line with this national trend, our adult ADHD service has seen a large increase in referrals in the past few years. As a result of increasing demand, it is taking longer for patients to get an assessment. Work is ongoing at a national level to review how the NHS can best support the growing demand for ADHD assessment and treatment.
Locally, we are working closely with NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, the local Integrated Care Board which commissions the adult ADHD service, to improve patient experience and reduce waiting lists. As part of this work we are reviewing the cases of all individuals on our waiting list, and we are prioritising assessments for people with the greatest clinical need.
The current picture
The service currently has a waiting list of
- Over 6,000 people in the triage and pre assessment screening process
- 380 people are waiting for an assessment
- Nearly 1,000 people awaiting a medication review or titration.
- Over 1,000 people requiring annual reviews
- Between 1 January 2024 and 30 June 2025, the service received 2973 referrals
About us
The adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) clinic is a specialist service offering assessment, diagnosis and treatment for adults with possible ADHD and for those with previously diagnosed ADHD.
The clinic also offers pre-referral advice for GPs, such as medication monitoring and symptoms management.
Support
We understand that waiting for assessment or treatment can be a very frustrating and difficult experience. If you are currently waiting to be seen by the adult ADHD service, there is support available to help you as you wait.
This includes:
- Royal College of Psychiatry: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/mental-illnesses-and-mental-health-problems/adhd-in-adults
- ADHD and You: https://www.adhdandyou.co.uk/
- ADHD Foundation: https://www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/
- ADDiSS: http://www.addiss.co.uk/
- Mind- ADHD and mental health: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/adhd-and-mental-health/
- NHS- Living with ADHD: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/living-with/
- Young Minds: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide/adhd/
- CPFT RCE Wellbeing Hub – Living Well with ADHD https://www.cpft.nhs.uk/rce-wellbeing-hub/
- Talking Therapies (formerly Psychological Wellbeing Service) https://www.cpft.nhs.uk/talkingtherapies/
For patients awaiting assessment the clinic is currently working alongside CPFT RCE Wellbeing Hub which is piloting the Wellbeing Discovery Programme specifically for patients on the ADHD waiting list.
The RCE Wellbeing Hub also delivers a course for those who already have a clinical diagnosis of ADHD.
For more details about, Living Well with ADHD, visit: https://www.cpft.nhs.uk/rce-wellbeing-hub/
Anyone in mental health crisis should contact CPFT’s First Response Service by calling 111 and selecting the mental health option.
Contact the service
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Cambridge
Chitra Sethia Autism Centre
Fulbourn
Cambridge
CB21 5EF
T: 01223 219674
E: CPFTAdultADHDService@cpft.nhs.ukPeterborough
Cavell Centre
Bretton Gate
Peterborough
PE3 9GZ
Huntingdon
Newtown Centre
Nursery Road
Huntingdon
PE29 3RJ
- Business Hours/Visiting Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, excluding Bank Holidays
Referral Information
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Referral must come from a GP and should be made directly to the Primary Care Mental Health Service.
Is there access and support for patients and visitors with a disability?
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Yes, our clinical bases are accessible. Please ring the team before your appointment to discuss any requirements.
How to cancel your appointment
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Please call our admin team on 01223 219674 if you wish to cancel or change your appointment.
Other essential information
- Referrals are being accepted for medication review and treatment for those with a clear diagnosis of ADHD and have collaborating information substantiating their diagnosis.
Carers Information
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A carer is anyone, including children and adults who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support. The care they give is unpaid.
At Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, we value the often life-long support carers provide and recognise them as equal care partners. We want to offer as much guidance and reassurance as possible, to help you in your caring role. You can find general information and support for adult carers, young carers and parent carers by following this link.