Private clinics are facing a crackdown after a landmark report warned ‘superficial’ ADHD and autism assessments were fuelling soaring numbers of people reporting to have the conditions.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said it will strengthen legislation in a bid to improve standards and curb over-diagnoses.
Independent firms now conduct more than half of all NHS-funded ADHD assessments and more than a third of autism assessments.
But the government-commissioned review, led by clinical psychologist Professor Peter Fonagy, has raised concerns about the ‘quality and consistency’ of their work.
Spending on independent-sector ADHD provision has risen by around 252 per cent in
To provide well-rounded coverage and a breadth of insight across various events, we rely on contributions from several staff writers, each bringing their own area of expertise to our publication.