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The number of patients in England identified as receiving prescribed ADHD medicines rose by nearly 5 per cent between July and September, NHS statistics reveal. 

The latest quarterly report on medicines used in mental health from the NHS Business Services Authority shows that the number of patients prescribed CNS stimulants and ADHD drugs rose by 4.7 per cent from 284,000 to 297,000, while the number of prescribed items climbed from 965,000 to 1.1million. 

The cost to the NHS of dispensing these items was £45m over the three-month period, a 2.3 per cent on the same quarter in 2023-24. 

The statistics were published as health secretary Wes Streeting announced the launch of a review into mental health, ADHD and autism services aimed at establishing why demand for these services is rising. 

Mr Streeting said the review will consider factors like the role inequality plays in determining access to care as well as whether “medicalisation” is inappropriate in certain circumstances. 

The health secretary commented: “I know from personal experience how devastating it can be for people who face poor mental health, have ADHD or autism and can’t get a diagnosis or the right support.

“I also know, from speaking to clinicians, how the diagnosis of these conditions is sharply rising.

“We must look at this through a strictly clinical lens to get an evidence-based understanding of what we know, what we don’t know, and what these patterns tell us about our mental health system, autism and ADHD services.

“That’s the only way we can ensure everyone gets timely access to accurate diagnosis and effective support.”

The NHSBSA quarterly mental health medicines report also showed that the number of patients receiving antidepressants rose by 60,000 to 7,090,000 and the number of prescribed items rose by 500,000 to 23,900,000, while the cost of antidepressants dipped by £600,000 to £54.1m.