NHS waiting times in Sheffield for ADHD
As of February 2026, SAANS was booking appointments for patients referred in March 2021, representing a wait of approximately 5 years. The service receives around 219 referrals per month combined from Sheffield and Derbyshire (which has no local adult ADHD service and routes patients to Sheffield). A 2023 investigation found only 21 adults had been assessed in a 12-month period, with a 97% screen-out rate for adults at triage.
Sheffield's SAANS service takes referrals from Derbyshire as well as Sheffield, since Derbyshire has no commissioned adult ADHD service of its own. This significantly inflates demand. The Right to Choose route in South Yorkshire is one of the shorter in England at approximately 14 weeks, offering a faster NHS-funded alternative for those who qualify.
Your options in Sheffield
There are currently several routes to an adult ADHD assessment for people in Sheffield.
Approximately 5 years (currently booking patients referred in March 2021)
Referrals accepted subject to GP assessment and local capacity.
Approximately 14 weeks through Right to Choose providers in South Yorkshire ICB, among the shorter waits in England
South Yorkshire ICB has a notably shorter Right to Choose wait than most other areas, at around 14 weeks. This makes the Right to Choose route more practical in Sheffield than in many other cities.
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 Sheffield 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 Sheffield, 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.
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.
Most Sheffield GPs will accept a diagnosis from a GMC-registered consultant psychiatrist for shared-care prescribing. NHS England guidance indicates GPs should not normally refuse prescribing following a diagnosis from a qualified specialist. We recommend discussing shared-care with your practice alongside booking your assessment. More on sharing your report with your GP.
Frequently asked questions
NHS waiting time data for Sheffield reflects publicly available information from Sheffield Health and Social Care 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.