ADHD UK has threatened legal action against West Yorkshire NHS integrated care board over a policy imposing a minimum two-year wait for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism assessments.
In a legal letter seen by The Guardian, the charity alleges the decision is unlawful. ADHD UK says it will seek a judicial review if the board does not reverse the policy.
The West Yorkshire NHS integrated care board has established the two-year minimum wait as part of its approach to neurodiversity services. ADHD UK contends this breaches legal obligations to patients seeking diagnosis.
Judicial review is a court process that allows challenges to public-body decisions on grounds of illegality, procedural unfairness or irrationality. If ADHD UK pursues the case, a judge would assess whether the NHS board's policy meets legal standards.
Long waits for ADHD and autism diagnosis have become widespread across the NHS. Patients in many areas face years before receiving formal assessment, leaving them without access to treatment or support while waiting. The West Yorkshire policy formalises what has become a de facto standard in parts of the health service, but ADHD UK argues explicit two-year minimum waits breach the right to timely care.
The threat of legal action marks an escalation in disputes over NHS diagnostic capacity. The health service has faced growing pressure as demand for ADHD and autism assessments has risen sharply in recent years, while funding and staffing levels have not kept pace.