The Government is deeply concerned that too many adults, children, and young people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism are not getting the support they need early enough, consistently enough, or in ways that are well matched to their needs. There is a range of cross-Government work underway that is examining the impacts of neurodevelopmental conditions on health, education, and employment, and how people can be supported earlier and more effectively.

In December 2025, the Government launched an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The final report, due in the summer, will make recommendations on how the Government, the health system, and wider public services can respond to increasing demand for support more fairly and effectively so that people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place.

We are also committed to transforming outcomes for children, young people, and their families with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) through pivotal reforms. We want these reforms to support the treatment to prevention shift in our 10-Year Health Plan and its focus on early identification of needs, support, and intervention, enabling more children to access support and thrive in inclusive mainstream settings.

Central to this is the new Experts at Hand offer, backed by £1.8 billion over three years, which will bring health and education professionals around mainstream settings. Alongside this, £1.6 billion will be invested over the next three years to make the mainstream system more inclusive, building on the latest evidence and practice. By 2028, up to £15 million will have been invested to build the evidence base for, and then provide, national inclusion standards. These will set out, for the first time, what support should be available in every mainstream setting. We will also refresh areas of need, update guidance on reasonable adjustments, and revise the SEND Code of Practice.

The Timms Review, the first review of the Personal Independence Payment benefit, is examining how it can better support disabled people to live independently and access the right support at the right level. The review is due to report in the autumn. Additionally, the Milburn Review on Young People and Work is examining how health conditions can affect participation in education, employment, and training, and the implications for welfare dependency. It published its interim report on 28 May, with the final report due to be published later this year.

The Government will consider the findings of these reviews to inform future Government decisions.

Data for the number of open referrals that may be for an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder assessment is published nationally and disaggregated by integrated care board (ICB) and covers how long referrals have been open across several time periods, although it does not include an average wait time.

For the figures for the NHS Surrey and Sussex ICB please see the latest ADHD Management Information publication at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mi-adhd/may-2026

The 2026/27 NHS Payment Scheme was published on 26 March 2026 and came into effect from 1 April 2026. The scheme governs transactions between providers and commissioners of secondary healthcare. The attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism payment guidance has also been updated and sets out national expectations for ADHD and autism services. This guidance is primarily intended for finance, costing, and data teams working in ADHD and autism assessment services, and integrated care boards (ICBs) with commissioning responsibilities for these services. The purpose is to support commissioners and providers to build consistent, transparent, and equitable ADHD and autism diagnostic pathways, with clear data requirements and a shared understanding of what good looks like.

Guide prices for ADHD and autism assessments were published as part of the 2026/27 NHS Payment Scheme. NHS England is engaging on the use of these prices and how they could be developed further, including whether to differentiate between straightforward and complex cases. The current prices already include a separate price for patients receiving a combined assessment for ADHD and autism which is often provided to more complex patients.

NHS England is continuing work on pricing arrangements for autism and ADHD assessment services through the NHS Payment Scheme. This aims to support a more equitable and consistent approach to commissioning and service delivery.

The Government announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The final report, due in the summer, will make recommendations on how the Government, the health system, and wider public services can respond to increasing demand for support more fairly and effectively so that people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place. The next stage of the review will look at service design and how services might respond more effectively to rising need, including the role of earlier intervention, community-based provision, and more integrated pathways across health, education, and other public services. The review will also look at the question of what role the private sector plays in diagnostic services.

We recognise that, nationally, demand for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessments has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays in accessing such services.

It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) in England to make appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to ADHD assessment services. The Medium-Term Planning Framework, published 24 October 2025, was explicit that ICBs and providers are expected to optimise existing resources to reduce long waits for ADHD assessments and improve the quality of assessments by implementing existing and new guidance, as published.

The Thames Valley ICB and the Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust have undertaken work to improve ADHD services in Slough and East Berkshire. This includes redesigning referral and triage pathways, increasing assessment capacity through additional commissioned providers, introducing digital support and self-management tools, and improving the information and support available to families. A wider transformation programme is also underway across Thames Valley to improve the consistency and quality of assessment pathways, provide support before, during, and after assessment, and strengthen collaboration between health, education, local authorities, and voluntary organisations. The programme aims to reduce waiting times, improve patient experience, and ensure people can access support based on need, rather than diagnosis alone.

The Government announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The final report, due in the summer, will inform our new approach, so people receive the right support, at the right time and in the right place. The review’s interim report, published at the end of March, sets out the evidence reviewed so far on prevalence, describes the impact of rising demand for diagnosis and support, identifies where the evidence is uncertain, and outlines the key questions for the next phase.

The information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Information about PIP claimants’ primary conditions is published on the Stat Xplore website (https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/).

The Government is committed to supporting people to have equitable access to safe, effective, and high-quality autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment services. We recognise that, nationally in England, demand for assessments for autism and ADHD has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays accessing such assessments.

The Government announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The final report, due in the summer, will make recommendations on how the Government, the health system, and wider public services can respond to increasing demand for support more fairly and effectively so that people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place. The next stage of the review will look at service design and how services might respond more effectively to rising need, including the role of earlier intervention, community-based provision, and more integrated pathways across health, education, and other public services. The review will also look at the question of what role the private sector plays in diagnostic services.

The Timms Review, the first review of the Personal Independence Payment benefit, is examining how it can better support disabled people to live independently and access the right support at the right level. The review is due to report in the autumn. Additionally, the Milburn Review on Young People and Work is examining how health conditions can affect participation in education, employment, and training, and the implications for welfare dependency. It published its interim report on 28 May, with the final report due to be published later this year. The Government will consider the findings from these reviews, alongside those of the Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism.

It is the responsibility of integrated care boards in England to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to autism and ADHD services in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.

NHS England has published guidance to support consistent, high–quality autism assessments and the guidance includes information about the specialist clinical skills required to undertake different aspects of the assessment process. NHS England has also issued advice to local systems on ADHD service delivery.

The measures outlined above are intended to support accurate, timely, and consistent assessments across providers and the current ongoing reviews will help inform future Government decisions.

The Government is committed to supporting people to have equitable access to safe, effective, and high-quality autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment services, irrespective of their service provider. We recognise that, nationally in England, demand for assessments for autism and ADHD has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays accessing such assessments. The independent sector provides important service capacity within autism and ADHD services.

The Government announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The final report, due in the summer, will make recommendations on how the Government, the health system, and wider public services can respond to increasing demand for assessment and support more fairly and effectively so that people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place. The interim report was published in March, and the next stage of the review will look at service design and how services might respond more effectively to rising need, including the role of earlier intervention, community-based provision, and more integrated pathways across health, education, and other public services. The review will also look at the question of what role the private sector plays in diagnostic services.

It remains the responsibility of integrated care boards in England to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to autism and ADHD services in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.

In October 2025, NHS England issued advice to systems on ADHD service delivery and prioritisation, including guidance on managing service provisions, reviewing waiting lists, and providing patient support. In April 2023, NHS England published a national framework and operational guidance for autism assessment services, which can be found at the following link:

www.england.nhs.uk/publication/autism-diagnosis-and-operational-guidance

This guidance intends to help providers of National Health Services improve autism assessment services and improve the experience for those referred to a service.

We are aware of the concerns that have been raised regarding autism and ADHD assessment-only services, including around consistency, quality, and regulation, and officials are considering these issues with relevant partners.

The Department has not made an assessment of the number of inconclusive autism or ADHD assessments or of those resulting in misdiagnosis, nor of the potential impact of such outcomes on long-term health expenditure. However, NICE guidance sets out evidence-based requirements for assessment and diagnosis, including consideration of differential diagnoses and co-occurring conditions. This is intended to support accurate and robust diagnostic decision-making.

The Government is committed to supporting people to have equitable access to safe, effective, and high-quality autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment services, irrespective of their service provider. We recognise that, nationally in England, demand for assessments for autism and ADHD has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays accessing such assessments. The independent sector provides important service capacity within autism and ADHD services.

The Government announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The final report, due in the summer, will make recommendations on how the Government, the health system, and wider public services can respond to increasing demand for assessment and support more fairly and effectively so that people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place. The interim report was published in March, and the next stage of the review will look at service design and how services might respond more effectively to rising need, including the role of earlier intervention, community-based provision, and more integrated pathways across health, education, and other public services. The review will also look at the question of what role the private sector plays in diagnostic services.

It remains the responsibility of integrated care boards in England to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to autism and ADHD services in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.

In October 2025, NHS England issued advice to systems on ADHD service delivery and prioritisation, including guidance on managing service provisions, reviewing waiting lists, and providing patient support. In April 2023, NHS England published a national framework and operational guidance for autism assessment services, which can be found at the following link:

www.england.nhs.uk/publication/autism-diagnosis-and-operational-guidance

This guidance intends to help providers of National Health Services improve autism assessment services and improve the experience for those referred to a service.

We are aware of the concerns that have been raised regarding autism and ADHD assessment-only services, including around consistency, quality, and regulation, and officials are considering these issues with relevant partners.

The Department has not made an assessment of the number of inconclusive autism or ADHD assessments or of those resulting in misdiagnosis, nor of the potential impact of such outcomes on long-term health expenditure. However, NICE guidance sets out evidence-based requirements for assessment and diagnosis, including consideration of differential diagnoses and co-occurring conditions. This is intended to support accurate and robust diagnostic decision-making.

The Government is committed to supporting people to have equitable access to safe, effective, and high-quality autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment services, irrespective of their service provider. We recognise that, nationally in England, demand for assessments for autism and ADHD has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays accessing such assessments. The independent sector provides important service capacity within autism and ADHD services.

The Government announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The final report, due in the summer, will make recommendations on how the Government, the health system, and wider public services can respond to increasing demand for assessment and support more fairly and effectively so that people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place. The interim report was published in March, and the next stage of the review will look at service design and how services might respond more effectively to rising need, including the role of earlier intervention, community-based provision, and more integrated pathways across health, education, and other public services. The review will also look at the question of what role the private sector plays in diagnostic services.

It remains the responsibility of integrated care boards in England to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to autism and ADHD services in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.

In October 2025, NHS England issued advice to systems on ADHD service delivery and prioritisation, including guidance on managing service provisions, reviewing waiting lists, and providing patient support. In April 2023, NHS England published a national framework and operational guidance for autism assessment services, which can be found at the following link:

www.england.nhs.uk/publication/autism-diagnosis-and-operational-guidance

This guidance intends to help providers of National Health Services improve autism assessment services and improve the experience for those referred to a service.

We are aware of the concerns that have been raised regarding autism and ADHD assessment-only services, including around consistency, quality, and regulation, and officials are considering these issues with relevant partners.

The Department has not made an assessment of the number of inconclusive autism or ADHD assessments or of those resulting in misdiagnosis, nor of the potential impact of such outcomes on long-term health expenditure. However, NICE guidance sets out evidence-based requirements for assessment and diagnosis, including consideration of differential diagnoses and co-occurring conditions. This is intended to support accurate and robust diagnostic decision-making.

The Government is committed to supporting people to have equitable access to safe, effective, and high-quality autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment services, irrespective of their service provider. We recognise that, nationally in England, demand for assessments for autism and ADHD has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays accessing such assessments. The independent sector provides important service capacity within autism and ADHD services.

The Government announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The final report, due in the summer, will make recommendations on how the Government, the health system, and wider public services can respond to increasing demand for assessment and support more fairly and effectively so that people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place. The interim report was published in March, and the next stage of the review will look at service design and how services might respond more effectively to rising need, including the role of earlier intervention, community-based provision, and more integrated pathways across health, education, and other public services. The review will also look at the question of what role the private sector plays in diagnostic services.

It remains the responsibility of integrated care boards in England to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to autism and ADHD services in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.

In October 2025, NHS England issued advice to systems on ADHD service delivery and prioritisation, including guidance on managing service provisions, reviewing waiting lists, and providing patient support. In April 2023, NHS England published a national framework and operational guidance for autism assessment services, which can be found at the following link:

www.england.nhs.uk/publication/autism-diagnosis-and-operational-guidance

This guidance intends to help providers of National Health Services improve autism assessment services and improve the experience for those referred to a service.

We are aware of the concerns that have been raised regarding autism and ADHD assessment-only services, including around consistency, quality, and regulation, and officials are considering these issues with relevant partners.

The Department has not made an assessment of the number of inconclusive autism or ADHD assessments or of those resulting in misdiagnosis, nor of the potential impact of such outcomes on long-term health expenditure. However, NICE guidance sets out evidence-based requirements for assessment and diagnosis, including consideration of differential diagnoses and co-occurring conditions. This is intended to support accurate and robust diagnostic decision-making.

The Government is committed to supporting people to have equitable access to safe, effective, and high-quality autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment services, irrespective of their service provider. We recognise that, nationally in England, demand for assessments for autism and ADHD has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays accessing such assessments. The independent sector provides important service capacity within autism and ADHD services.

The Government announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The final report, due in the summer, will make recommendations on how the Government, the health system, and wider public services can respond to increasing demand for assessment and support more fairly and effectively so that people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place. The interim report was published in March, and the next stage of the review will look at service design and how services might respond more effectively to rising need, including the role of earlier intervention, community-based provision, and more integrated pathways across health, education, and other public services. The review will also look at the question of what role the private sector plays in diagnostic services.

It remains the responsibility of integrated care boards in England to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to autism and ADHD services in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.

In October 2025, NHS England issued advice to systems on ADHD service delivery and prioritisation, including guidance on managing service provisions, reviewing waiting lists, and providing patient support. In April 2023, NHS England published a national framework and operational guidance for autism assessment services, which can be found at the following link:

www.england.nhs.uk/publication/autism-diagnosis-and-operational-guidance

This guidance intends to help providers of National Health Services improve autism assessment services and improve the experience for those referred to a service.

We are aware of the concerns that have been raised regarding autism and ADHD assessment-only services, including around consistency, quality, and regulation, and officials are considering these issues with relevant partners.

The Department has not made an assessment of the number of inconclusive autism or ADHD assessments or of those resulting in misdiagnosis, nor of the potential impact of such outcomes on long-term health expenditure. However, NICE guidance sets out evidence-based requirements for assessment and diagnosis, including consideration of differential diagnoses and co-occurring conditions. This is intended to support accurate and robust diagnostic decision-making.

The Government is committed to supporting people to have equitable access to safe, effective, and high-quality attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment services, irrespective of their service provider. We recognise that, nationally in England, demand for assessments for ADHD has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays accessing such assessments. The independent sector provides important service capacity within ADHD services.

It is the responsibility of integrated care boards in England to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to ADHD services in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines. NHS England has issued advice to local systems on ADHD service delivery and prioritisation, including guidance on managing service provisions, reviewing waiting lists, and providing patient support.

Departmental officials engage regularly with the Care Quality Commission on matters relating to health service quality and regulation. We are aware of concerns that have been raised regarding some ADHD assessment-only services and are considering these issues with relevant partners.

The Government announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The final report, due in the summer, will make recommendations on how the Government, the health system, and wider public services can respond to increasing demand for assessment and support more fairly and effectively so that people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place. The next stage of the review will look at the question of what role the private sector plays in diagnostic services.

The Government is committed to supporting people to have equitable access to safe, effective, and high-quality attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment services, irrespective of their service provider. We recognise that, nationally in England, demand for assessments for ADHD has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays accessing such assessments. The independent sector provides important service capacity within ADHD services.

It is the responsibility of integrated care boards in England to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to ADHD services in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines. NHS England has issued advice to local systems on ADHD service delivery and prioritisation, including guidance on managing service provisions, reviewing waiting lists, and providing patient support.

Departmental officials engage regularly with the Care Quality Commission on matters relating to health service quality and regulation. We are aware of concerns that have been raised regarding some ADHD assessment-only services and are considering these issues with relevant partners.

The Government announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The final report, due in the summer, will make recommendations on how the Government, the health system, and wider public services can respond to increasing demand for assessment and support more fairly and effectively so that people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place. The next stage of the review will look at the question of what role the private sector plays in diagnostic services.

The Government is committed to supporting people to have equitable access to safe, effective, and high-quality attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment services, irrespective of their service provider. We recognise that, nationally in England, demand for assessments for ADHD has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays accessing such assessments. The independent sector provides important service capacity within ADHD services.

It is the responsibility of integrated care boards in England to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to ADHD services in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines. NHS England has issued advice to local systems on ADHD service delivery and prioritisation, including guidance on managing service provisions, reviewing waiting lists, and providing patient support.

Departmental officials engage regularly with the Care Quality Commission on matters relating to health service quality and regulation. We are aware of concerns that have been raised regarding some ADHD assessment-only services and are considering these issues with relevant partners.

The Government announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The final report, due in the summer, will make recommendations on how the Government, the health system, and wider public services can respond to increasing demand for assessment and support more fairly and effectively so that people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place. The next stage of the review will look at the question of what role the private sector plays in diagnostic services.

The Government is committed to supporting people to have equitable access to safe, effective, and high-quality attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment services, irrespective of their service provider. We recognise that, nationally in England, demand for assessments for ADHD has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays accessing such assessments. The independent sector provides important service capacity within ADHD services.

It is the responsibility of integrated care boards in England to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to ADHD services in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines. NHS England has issued advice to local systems on ADHD service delivery and prioritisation, including guidance on managing service provisions, reviewing waiting lists, and providing patient support.

Departmental officials engage regularly with the Care Quality Commission on matters relating to health service quality and regulation. We are aware of concerns that have been raised regarding some ADHD assessment-only services and are considering these issues with relevant partners.

The Government announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The final report, due in the summer, will make recommendations on how the Government, the health system, and wider public services can respond to increasing demand for assessment and support more fairly and effectively so that people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place. The next stage of the review will look at the question of what role the private sector plays in diagnostic services.

In December 2025, the Government launched an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. This independent review will inform a new approach that reduces waiting times, improves the quality of care, and promotes prevention and early intervention. The independent review’s final report, due in the summer, will make recommendations on how the Government, the health system, and wider public services can respond to increasing demand for support more fairly and effectively so that people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place.

The Government also announced on 15 May a new Mental Health Strategy for England, with the aim of transforming mental health care into a system that responds earlier, reduces waiting times for support, and supports people, including people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autistic people, to participate in education and work. It will be informed by the findings and recommendations from the Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism.

In the meantime, the Government is continuing to expand Mental Health Support Teams so that every school and college can access mental health support. These teams provide early intervention and work with education staff, parents, and carers to identify needs sooner and support children and young people before difficulties escalate. We are also improving the capability of the workforce to respond to children and young people with more complex needs, including those experiencing trauma, distress, and neurodivergence, so that they can receive the right support at the right time.

We are also committed to transforming outcomes for children, young people, and their families with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) through pivotal reforms. We want these reforms to support the treatment to prevention shift in our 10-Year Health Plan and its focus on early identification of needs, support, and intervention, enabling more children to access support and thrive in inclusive mainstream settings.

To support this ambition, over the next three years £1.6 billion will be invested to make the mainstream system more inclusive, building on the latest evidence and practice, alongside £1.8 billion being invested over three years for the new Experts at Hand offer, which will wrap education and health professionals around mainstream settings. By 2028, up to £15 million will have been invested to build the evidence base for, and then provide, National Inclusion Standards. These will set out, for the first time, what support that should be available in every mainstream setting. We will also refresh areas of need, update guidance on reasonable adjustments, and revise the SEND Code of Practice.