NHS leaders warn soaring ADHD and autism costs could overwhelm services
NHS managers say the surge in private and charitable providers for ADHD and autism care is driving costs out of control and threatens to destabilise the system.
Health managers represented by the NHS Alliance warn that the rapid expansion of private and charitable providers for autism and ADHD services is inflating costs and threatening system stability. Recent data show spending spikes, including a ten-fold increase to £1.5 million per month for one board and a rise from £4 million to £30 million annually for another over two years. Fee disparities are stark, with similar assessments costing anywhere between £300 and £3,000.
The number of providers has multiplied, with some boards now working with 48 firms, complicating oversight because assessment-only providers are exempt from Care Quality Commission registration. The government has pledged one outlet's review and a new national approach, but managers feel caught between meeting demand and curbing runaway expenses. Both the NHS Alliance and the National Autistic Society describe the situation as a crisis marked by unacceptable waiting times despite rising short-term spending.
Why it matters
Escalating costs and quality concerns in autism and ADHD care could limit access for patients across the UK.
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