New ADHD and Autism Policy implemented in Coventry and Warwickshire
On 14 May 2026, NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) announced that they have implemented a new ADHD and autism policy that reopens referral routes for patients of all ages.
The new policy replaces the temporary emergency policy that was introduced in May 2025 which paused ADHD referrals for people aged 25 or over.
This means that people of all ages who believe they have ADHD or autism should contact their GP and make an appointment to request a referral. Decisions of whether a referral is made for both an ADHD and Autism assessment will be based on clinical and functional impact to that individual.
As well as reopening ADHD referrals for all ages, the new policy introduces a new quality-based provider framework. This means that all NHS-funded providers now have clear standards which they need to meet and which are aligned to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
The new policy also introduces the expectation that, where a clinician makes a referral for both ADHD and autism, a patient should receive a dual ADHD and autism assessment providing it is clinically appropriate. This will benefit people by reducing the number of appointments before a full diagnosis, help to avoid unnecessary delays, and support a better understanding of their full neurodevelopmental profile.
It is important to note that waiting times for assessments remain extremely long. Within the NHS, adult ADHD assessment waiting times are typically between three and six years, while children may wait between five and ten years. For autism assessments, children and young people wait around two years on average, with adult waiting times slightly longer.
The ICB is working closely with partner organisations to address the national challenge of long waits, which is not unique to Coventry and Warwickshire.
To help people better understand the new policy and the support available to those with ADHD and autism, the ICB has created a new webpage that provides more detail, including frequently asked questions, available here.