Local MP Alan Mak has called for action to tackle increasing delays faced by children across Hampshire waiting for ADHD medication.
The number of children waiting to start medication went up by 86 per cent between December 2024 and December 2025 - from 271 to 503.
Over the same period, the average waiting time to begin medication has increased from 28 weeks to 47 weeks.
Now Mr Mak and other MPs in the south have written to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB) Chief Executive Maggie MacIsaac to voice their concern.
The letter stated: "Clinicians have advised that prescribing capacity within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) is constrained, in part because shared care arrangements with primary care are not widely utilised.
"As a result, many children who have already been assessed and diagnosed are waiting many months for treatment.
"Given these pressures, we would encourage the ICB to consider expanding shared care arrangements so that routine monitoring for children on stable ADHD medication, such as weight, height and blood pressure checks, can be managed through primary care, with CAMHS continuing to provide specialist oversight and periodic reviews.
"As a first step, the ICB could consider testing this approach through various practices operated by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare rather than partnerships.
"It could help relieve pressure on specialist services while ensuring children receive timely access to treatment."
Mr Mak said: "It is concerning to hear that the average waiting time to begin ADHD medication is nearly a year. Children are assessed and diagnosed, but then face a long wait for treatment.
"I want the ICB to look at the ADHD pathway and see how it can get primary care more involved to reduce waiting times."
