The government is introducing tighter oversight of diagnostic services amid warnings about long waiting times and unequal access to care.
The National Health Service in England is facing a significant staffing crisis as professionals leave to work in private clinics that assess children and adults for ADHD and autism. The watchdog overseeing NHS services has announced plans to regulate private clinics that provide diagnostic assessments for these conditions after some previously operated outside its oversight. These private providers have grown rapidly in recent years offering both diagnosis and treatment services for ADHD and autism.
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that tighter oversight will ensure the quality of assessments remains high and that the NHS is not overcharged by independent providers. The Care Quality Commission confirmed on October 9 that the new oversight will begin once the necessary regulations are introduced.
The exodus of staff has prompted concern from NHS leaders who warn that these shortages may worsen inequalities in access to care, according to The Guardian. Some NHS trusts have already restricted access to specialist services because of staffing pressures and overwhelming demand.
This situation comes as the NHS struggles to meet increasing demand for support related to ADHD and autism. A recent review of mental health services has highlighted that waiting times are too long for both ADHD and autism assessments. More than 800,000 people are waiting for assessments across England. The review also found that the system is failing to meet needs for both mental health and neurological conditions like ADHD and autism.
It noted that while there has been an increase in reported cases of mental distress among young people this does not necessarily reflect a rise in severe mental illness. The report emphasized that the system must improve how it supports individuals after diagnosis especially for mental health issues. Assessments for ADHD and autism are also inconsistent in quality with concerns raised about those conducted by private providers on behalf of the NHS.
The review team has recommended major reforms over the coming years and said the government is expected to outline more details in its upcoming mental health strategy.
Some NHS services have responded by limiting access for under-18s to those with the most serious needs. The government now plans to move toward a system that provides earlier help based on individual needs rather than requiring a diagnosis before support becomes available.
The report also pointed out that data on autism diagnoses is limited and does not allow for confirmation of over-diagnosis at scale.
Despite the concerns the review team emphasized that mental health challenges are real and growing particularly among younger adults. Professor Peter Fonagy recommended a system that offers earlier support while protecting access to specialist diagnosis and treatment.
The government has promised to act on these findings but progress will depend on how quickly new policies are implemented. The proposed changes aim to improve access to care while ensuring private providers meet consistent standards.