ADHD360’s statement on neurodevelopmental provision and the evolving care landscape

Recent public discussion has brought renewed focus to neurodevelopmental and ADHD services across the UK, including:

• media scrutiny of assessment practices,
• the development of the independent review,
• ongoing work on national standards and tariffs, and
• wider system pressures highlighted through the ADHD taskforce and policy activity.

At ADHD360, part of Keys Health, we welcome this attention and the shared ambition to ensure safe, timely and evidence based care.

Demand for neurodevelopmental services – particularly ADHD assessment and support – continues to rise significantly, as identified by NHS England.^[3]

At the same time, many NHS adult ADHD services remain under substantial strain, leaving individuals without timely access to care.

Research published by Cambridge University Press highlights that although unprecedented waiting times are driven by rising demand, constrained resources and post pandemic pressures, there is no evidence of widespread over diagnosis; rather, inadequate access to timely assessment and treatment represents the core challenge.^[4]

These delays have well recognised consequences.

The ADHD Taskforce’s Plain English Summary – published last summer – reported waiting times of several years in some areas, with untreated ADHD contributing to:

• poorer mental health outcomes,
• higher unemployment,
• increased risk of school exclusion, and
• greater likelihood of involvement with the criminal justice system.^[5]

In this context, independent providers play an important role in supporting overall system capacity through routes such as NHS Right to Choose, alongside commissioned and private pathways that offer additional access points for patients.

As independent providers, we do not replace NHS services. Instead, our role is to work in partnership with NHS colleagues to:

• expand capacity,
• reduce waiting times, and
• deliver structured, clinically governed and fully regulated end to end pathways.

Media scrutiny has raised questions about diagnostic thresholds and models of care. It is equally important that the public debate reflects the full picture.

ADHD assessment and treatment follow established frameworks, including NICE guideline NG87, which sets out evidence-based standards for recognition, diagnosis and treatment.^[6] Clinical criteria are anchored in DSM 5 definitions, widely adopted across both NHS and independent sectors.^[7]

The ADHD Taskforce, commissioned by NHS England in 2024, who published their findings last summer set out to improve clarity, consistency and outcomes across the system.^[8] Its work emphasised the need for clearer standards, improved data, reduced variation and stronger cross-sector collaboration.

The independent review into mental health, ADHD and autism, presents an opportunity to strengthen these findings and enable required system change.

We are hopeful that this will include:

• Clear, evidence-based standards for assessment, and treatment that is cognisant of contraindications or co-occurring conditions.
• Consistent expectations across all providers, NHS and independent, regardless of delivery modality.
• Recognition of the need for a system-wide, multidisciplinary, cross-sector solution to the challenges faced across neurodevelopmental services.
• Greater transparency in outcomes and quality measures.

The Taskforce report last summer also highlighted the need for:

• clearer funding models,
• improved commissioning consistency, and
• better pathway design, including strengthened data capture and whole-system planning.^[8]

Transparent tariffs and equitable, fair commissioning decisions underpin service stability, fairness and sustainability.

Shared care arrangements between specialist services and primary care remain essential for continuity, safety and long term outcomes.

We support national efforts to define consistent specifications and pricing models.

Clinical quality sits at the heart of our approach. Our pathways align with DSM 5 and NICE guidance, delivered by experienced clinicians through comprehensive, multidisciplinary assessment processes. Decisions are independent and not linked to diagnostic outcomes.

Where treatment is appropriate, it is tailored to the individual and monitored closely, with ongoing communication with primary care colleagues.

Digitally enabled models, when appropriately governed, can enhance access without compromising clinical rigour.

No single organisation can resolve the current pressures across neurodevelopmental services.

Responsible, regulated independent providers have an important role in working with the NHS to expand capacity while maintaining high clinical standards.

We support:

• clear national standards and consistent expectations,
• sustainable, transparent commissioning and tariffs,
• robust shared care pathways,
• increased investment in neurodevelopmental services, and
• continued research and evidence generation.

We remain committed to working collaboratively with the Government, NHS partners, clinicians, and patient communities to strengthen ADHD and neurodevelopmental care across the UK.

For more information, please contact us →

Updated September 2026