Government Revisions on ADHD Assessments Raise Concerns Across England
The National Health Service, or NHS, in England is reportedly restricting access to assessments for ADHD as a cost-cutting measure. Freedom of Information requests reveal that over half of the integrated care boards (ICBs) have imposed limits on the number of assessments to be conducted for ADHD during the fiscal year of 2025-26. Astonishingly, 13 out of 22 ICBs implementing such limits failed to inform general practitioners and nearly the same number neglected to communicate with patients waiting for assessments.
The advocacy group, ADHD UK, uncovered this lack of communication and indicated that it signifies an attempt by the NHS to obscure its budgetary constraints by imposing these "cruel" restrictions. Chief Executive Henry Shelford voiced his concerns, stating, âWaiting times for assessments are already horrendously long, and the NHSâs actions to ration care are starkly evident.â He added that such limits would exacerbate existing delays for many patients, with some enduring waits of up to eight years.
Moreover, the governmentâs taskforce focusing on ADHD highlighted profound societal impacts stemming from undiagnosed ADHD, generating a staggering financial burden estimated at ÂŁ17 billion annually. These costs arise from various issues including crime, educational underachievement, and mental health challenges.
Furthermore, practitioners unable to ascertain the status of their patients face a significant challenge in delivering appropriate care. Shelford stressed that family doctors must know if referred patients are going to receive assessments to guide their medical advice effectively.
One specific ICB, North Central London ICB, confirmed through its own FoI response that it introduced indicative activity plans (IAPs) which set caps on appointment funding for both ADHD and autism assessments, yet they maintained no communications had been issued to doctors or patients about these limitations.
As broader momentum builds around ADHD awareness, there have been calls for transparent dialogue from the NHS concerning diagnosis and treatment processes. Exactly ten ICBs reported that they did adequately inform relevant medical professionals and affected patients about limitations. Regions significantly impacted include Kent, Bedfordshire, and parts of Luton.
In light of these significant pressures, NHS England called attention to the ongoing possibility for individuals to join waiting lists for assessments, despite the prevalent implementation of IAPs. A spokesperson for the organisation countered the narrative suggesting that these payment schemes were designed to limit access, asserting that general practitioners would still be empowered to make referrals when clinically justified.
Wes Streeting, the current Secretary of State for Health, has requested a review into the increasing diagnoses of ADHD and other related mental illnesses. This inquiry will aim to better understand underlying factors contributing to the rise in these conditions and the resulting strain on UK health systems.
Shifts within political parties and public advocacy surrounding these issues illuminate the ongoing struggle in balancing health care demand against tightening budgets. As the NHS navigates through these challenges, the imperative to safeguard patient welfare remains a pivotal concern for stakeholders and observers alike.
In conclusion, the ramifications of restricted access to ADHD assessments extend far beyond individual diagnoses, affecting educational and societal structures. The clamour for immediate action and transparency within the NHS grows louder as advocacy groups work to ensure equitable health care access for all. #ADHDAccess #NHSChallenges #MentalHealthCare
