ADHD & autism waiting times across Scotland
Current waiting times for NHS ADHD and autism assessment across all 14 Scottish health boards, gathered through Freedom of Information requests. Data is updated as responses are received.
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Current waiting times
Times shown are the typical wait from GP referral to first assessment appointment, where boards have provided this data. CAMHS = Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (under 18s).
| Health board | ADHD Adults | ADHD CAMHS (under 18) | Autism Adults | Autism CAMHS (under 18) | FOI status | Last updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NHS Ayrshire & Arran Ayrshire & Arran | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Not yet sent | — |
| NHS Borders Scottish Borders | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Not yet sent | — |
| NHS Dumfries & Galloway Dumfries & Galloway | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Not yet sent | — |
| NHS Fife Fife | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Not yet sent | — |
| NHS Forth Valley Falkirk, Stirling & Clackmannanshire | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Not yet sent | — |
| NHS Grampian Aberdeen, Moray & Aberdeenshire | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Not yet sent | — |
| NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Glasgow, Clyde & surrounding areas | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Not yet sent | — |
| NHS Highland Highland & Argyll & Bute | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Not yet sent | — |
| NHS Lanarkshire North & South Lanarkshire | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Not yet sent | — |
| NHS Lothian Edinburgh, Midlothian, East & West Lothian | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Not yet sent | — |
| NHS Orkney Orkney Islands | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Not yet sent | — |
| NHS Shetland Shetland Islands | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Not yet sent | — |
| NHS Tayside Dundee, Perth & Kinross, Angus | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Not yet sent | — |
| NHS Western Isles Outer Hebrides (Eilean Siar) | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Awaiting data | Not yet sent | — |
Waiting times are self-reported by health boards in response to FOI requests submitted by ADHD Scot. They represent point-in-time data and may not reflect current waits.
How to access NHS assessment
The pathway varies by health board and by whether you are an adult or a child.
Adults (18+)
- Speak to your GP and ask for a referral for ADHD or autism assessment via your local NHS mental health or neurodevelopmental service.
- Your GP may ask you to complete a questionnaire (e.g. the ASRS screener) before referring.
- You are entitled to ask your GP for a referral. They cannot refuse without clinical reason.
- Once referred, you will be placed on the waiting list for your health board's assessment service. Wait times vary significantly.
Children & young people (under 18)
- Speak to your child's GP or school. Schools can also make referrals to CAMHS in some boards.
- Referrals go to CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) or a dedicated neurodevelopmental team.
- The process and wait times for CAMHS differ from adult services, often significantly longer in some areas.
- Ask your GP specifically for a neurodevelopmental assessment referral, not just a general CAMHS referral.
All 14 NHS Scotland health boards
Links to each board's website for referral information, service details, and contact information.
About this data
All waiting time figures on this page are gathered by ADHD Scot through Freedom of Information requests submitted to each health board under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. Boards must respond within 20 working days.
Data is published here as responses arrive, with the date each figure was provided. Figures represent a point-in-time snapshot. Actual current waits may differ. Where a board provides a range rather than an average, we show the range.
Your rights
Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, health boards must acknowledge FOI requests within 3 working days and respond within 20 working days.
If a board misses the deadline or refuses a request without good reason, you can complain to the Scottish Information Commissioner, who can require the board to release the information.
If you believe waiting time data in your area is inaccurate or has changed, let us know and we will follow up.
Can't wait for NHS assessment? The private provider directory lists services across Scotland with current costs and wait times.
Compare private providers →