In order to equalise waiting times and make this fairer for all patients, NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (WYICB) has agreed a minimum waiting time for all autism and ADHD assessments for patients under the care of independent providers. This minimum waiting time is currently two years from the date of referral. This means that all patients choosing an independent provider will wait at least this long prior to having an assessment. For some patients this means they will wait longer than they originally expected, and for some patients they will wait less time. The ambition is that all patients will wait around the same length of time before their assessment takes place.
Some patients may need to be prioritised for assessment where there are significant risks. The ICB has agreed that patients will be considered for urgent assessment where both of the following apply:
- There are significant risks relating to safety, physical health, mental health or education, and an expedited assessment would have a clear and immediate impact
- The individual is well and stable enough to give consent and meaningfully engage in the assessment process
All providers commissioned by WY ICB are required to have clear processes in place to identify patients who need a priority assessment and to ensure these individuals are seen ahead of routine referrals. Patients identified as requiring urgent assessment should be seen as soon as clinically appropriate, with an aim of being seen within 12 weeks.
The ICB may carry out clinical audits to ensure that these processes are applied consistently and that care is delivered in a timely, safe and high-quality way. We will continue to work closely with our partners to develop a more standardised approach, reduce inequalities, and improve transparency in how quality and equity are monitored. Any updates will be communicated once agreed.
NHS WYICB has identified patients who have already been diagnosed with ADHD and are awaiting medication as a further priority group. Providers should have plans in place to ensure they can offer medication to and support all patients pursuing medication after diagnosis of ADHD in a timely way.
Navigate to Public Information and Glossary.
You can read or download the Concise Impact Assessment on the introduction of indicative activity plans for providers of Right to Choose Neurodevelopmental Assessments. The report was published in October 2025.
