Health · Healthcare & Policy · 3 days ago
NHS loses ADHD and autism specialists to private clinics amid rising demand
Many people in England are waiting for ADHD or autism assessments, and NHS services are under pressure.
Some specialist staff have left the NHS to work for private providers.
One NHS trust restricted access to its service for young people, though it is due to return to normal on Monday.
The care watchdog will inspect private clinics that offer assessments only, aiming to improve oversight.
NHS staff are leaving ADHD and autism services to work for private providers, adding pressure to services already facing high demand and long waits.
The Guardian reported that one NHS trust in England restricted access to its neurodevelopmental service for under-18s to the most urgent cases because of staffing losses.
The Herefordshire and Worcestershire health and care NHS trust said most staff who left its neurodevelopmental service took jobs with independent-sector or Right to Choose providers.
About 810,000 children and adults in England are waiting for an ADHD or autism assessment.
The Care Quality Commission said it will begin inspecting private clinics that provide ADHD and autism diagnostic assessments, including clinics that offer assessments only.
- Who
- NHS ADHD and autism service staff, private providers, and the Care Quality Commission
- What
- Staff are leaving NHS services for private providers as the CQC prepares to inspect private diagnostic clinics.
- When
- The CQC announced the change on Friday, 9 October 2026; the article does not state when inspections will begin.
- Where
- England
- Why
- High demand and long NHS waits have expanded the private market, while private jobs are drawing staff away from NHS services.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This new responsibility will … close a significant gap in our oversight, meaning that people receiving these diagnoses can have far greater confidence in the service they are receiving.
people can be confident that assessments are high quality and that the NHS is not being overcharged by independent or private providers
Some staff stay with the NHS part-time when they get a private-sector job, but many will walk away entirely, leaving the health service in a weaker position and under greater pressure.
We’re increasingly dealing with one ADHD workforce spread across different providers both in the NHS and private sector
Herefordshire and Worcestershire trust restricted under-18s’ access to its neurodevelopmental service to those with the most serious symptoms.
The Health Service Journal reported that the trust had restricted access because staff were leaving for private providers.
The CQC announced it would begin inspecting private clinics offering ADHD and autism diagnostic assessments.
The trust was due to return to its normal service.
- People waiting for assessment in England
- About 810,000 children and adults
- People waiting at least two years at Herefordshire and Worcestershire trust
- 1,298
- Trust affected by staffing losses
- Herefordshire and Worcestershire health and care NHS trust
- New regulator for private diagnostic-only clinics
- Care Quality Commission
Sources
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