NHS bosses warn of chaos in ADHD and autism care
The NHS Alliance says some boards are paying up to 10 times more for autism and ADHD care as non-NHS providers multiply.
- The NHS Alliance warned that the 'right to choose' policy for autism and ADHD services represents a "bad deal" for taxpayers, as rising costs and inconsistent care strain local budgets.
- Designed to help patients bypass long waiting lists, the policy allows access to private providers; however, a lack of standardized tariffs has led to erratic billing and unmanaged service expansion.
- Spending on adult ADHD in Cheshire and Merseyside is projected at £51 million this year, while NHS boards report billing variations where some services charge £300 to £3,000 for similar assessments.
- The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman warned of a "postcode lottery of care" after analyzing 3,000 complaints, with complaints rising from 410 in 2021/22 to 1,257 in 2025/26.
- Professor Peter Fonagy is leading an independent review, and the Government has promised a "new national approach" to address service pressures and clarify patients' legal right to choose a provider.
7 Articles
7 Articles
ADHD and Autism Costs Running "Out Of Control" NHS Leaders Say
Share Post Share Email NHS leaders say the costs of meeting soaring demand for ADHD and autism services in England are running out of control and have become unsustainable. They say the steep and relentless rise in demand since the pandemic is forcing some to close waiting lists and look at reining in other services they provide. The NHS Alliance, which speaks for organisations across the health and care system, says local health leaders are kee…
ADHD and autism costs running "out of control", warn NHS leaders
ADHD and autism costs running "out of control", warn NHS leaders Polly Jones 28 August, 2026 ADHD and autism costs running "out of control", warn NHS leaders 28 August, 2026 Meeting demand for ADHD and autism services in England are running out of control and have become unsustainable, NHS leaders have said.The NHS Alliance, which speaks for organisations across the health and care system, says local health leaders are aware of the frustratio…
National guidance needed to improve ADHD and autism care
People seeking ADHD and autism assessments and treatment are facing long waits, inconsistent access and fragmented care because the NHS commissioning system is struggling to keep pace with rising demand, a new report has warned. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, Paula Sussex CBE, is urging the Government to publish national guidance to improve access to care and clarify patients’ right to choose their provider, while also calling f…
National guidance needed for autism services, says ombudsman
The UK government must introduce national guidance for health commissioners to tackle delays in autism diagnoses and clarify a patient’s ‘right to choose’ an assessment provider, a watchdog has said. The post Calls for national commissioning guidance for autism services as complaints triple appeared first on Liam O'Dell.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
