Labour has announced plans to strengthen regulation of ADHD and autism assessments in England following an independent review chaired by Professor Peter Fonagy.
Government proposals
- Bring all diagnostic assessments under Care Quality Commission regulation, including NHS-funded and privately paid services.
- Ask the Advertising Standards Authority to examine advertising practices.
- Consult on national prices for NHS-funded assessment, post-diagnostic support and follow-ups, with new payment arrangements intended from April 2027.
- Consider implications for NICE clinical guidance.
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper’s department published its response on 9 October. A new Mental Health Strategy is expected later this year.
What the review found
The review found a substantial rise in mental distress and common mental health conditions, especially among young people. It said this increase was real and could not be explained by greater awareness alone.
For ADHD, the available evidence suggests underlying population prevalence has remained broadly stable or increased only modestly. For autism, the report found little evidence of substantial change. It stresses uncertainty because contemporary population studies are limited.
Recorded diagnoses and demand for assessment measure something different from the proportion of people in the population who have a condition. Rising referrals therefore cannot be treated as proof of a matching rise in underlying prevalence.
The review calls for help based on people’s needs before, during and after assessment, while preserving timely diagnosis and specialist care. It identifies long waits and barriers to treatment as serious failures.
Implementation still to come
The announcement sets out intended reforms; it does not establish that the expanded regulatory requirements are already in force. April 2027 is the intended date for new NHS payment arrangements, rather than a confirmed start date for every measure.
The review’s population-level findings do not determine whether any individual’s diagnosis is accurate. Its recommendations retain a role for diagnosis and seek wider access to support.