NHS waiting times in Oxford for ADHD
The NHS adult ADHD service in Oxford is closed to new referrals
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust's adult ADHD service has been paused to new referrals since 5 February 2024, with no announced reopening date. Right to Choose is currently the only NHS-funded route for new adult patients in Oxfordshire. Additionally, some Oxfordshire GPs have declined new shared-care prescribing agreements for ADHD medication. We recommend speaking with your practice before proceeding.
Oxford Health paused new adult ADHD referrals from 5 February 2024 because the existing waiting list already exceeded 3 years. As of the pause, the service was assessing patients referred in May 2021. Local GP guidance indicates the wait would otherwise be approximately 6 years. There has been no public announcement of a reopening date.
Oxford combines a closed NHS service with an emerging shared-care prescribing issue, making it one of the more complex local environments for adults seeking ADHD assessment and subsequent treatment. Right to Choose is the active NHS-funded route, and we recommend discussing shared-care availability with your GP practice before booking any assessment.
Oxford Health paused new adult ADHD referrals in February 2024 with no announced end date. Separately, some Oxfordshire GPs have refused new shared-care agreements for ADHD medication because Oxford Health is not commissioned for specialist annual reviews, an ongoing issue being raised with the ICB.
Your options in Oxford
There are currently several routes to an adult ADHD assessment for people in Oxford.
Service paused to new referrals since February 2024. Wait would otherwise be approximately 6 years.
No new referrals accepted. Existing waiting list only, prioritised by clinical need.
Approximately 44 weeks through Right to Choose providers in Thames Valley ICB
During Oxford Health's pause, local GPs are directing patients to Right to Choose. Right to Choose is the primary NHS-funded route currently available in Oxfordshire.
Within days
Private assessment by a GMC-registered consultant psychiatrist. £799 all inclusive. Full report within 7 days. No referral needed.
Ready to book your Oxford assessment?
Available by video call. No referral needed. Report within 7 days.
What a Distinct assessment involves
A Distinct assessment is a 60 to 90 minute structured clinical interview conducted by a GMC-registered consultant psychiatrist via secure video call. It uses the DIVA-5 diagnostic interview alongside validated symptom rating scales, following DSM-5 criteria throughout. You can attend from anywhere in England including Oxford, without travelling.
Before your appointment you complete a pre-assessment questionnaire covering your symptoms, history, and daily functioning. At the end of the consultation your psychiatrist shares their clinical conclusion verbally. Your full written report follows within 7 days.
All Distinct assessments are conducted directly by the consultant psychiatrist, not reviewed or countersigned by one. This distinction matters for GP acceptance and shared-care prescribing. Given that Oxford has no functioning NHS ADHD service, the clinical authority of your report has a direct bearing on the support you can access afterwards.
Your report and what it enables
Your written diagnostic report is delivered within 7 days of your consultation. It covers your symptom history, the DSM-5 criteria met, the impact on your daily functioning, and clinical recommendations for next steps. It includes a letter addressed to your GP summarising the findings.
Your report can also be used for workplace adjustments under the Equality Act, Disabled Students' Allowance applications, and DVLA disclosure where required. There is no time limit on when you can use it.
Some GPs in Oxfordshire have declined to enter new shared-care prescribing agreements for ADHD medication, citing the lack of NHS specialist annual review capacity in the area. This issue is being raised with the ICB. We strongly recommend discussing shared-care with your specific GP practice before or alongside seeking a private assessment, to understand their current position. More on sharing your report with your GP.
Frequently asked questions
NHS waiting time data for Oxford reflects publicly available information from Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and the relevant ICB, current as of April 2026. Waiting times change and we recommend verifying current figures directly with your GP or the relevant trust.