Autism and ADHD care is at risk of descending into chaos, NHS bosses are warning, as costs spiral out of control and unregulated private providers capitalise on the huge demand for help.
The NHS Alliance, which represents health managers, says the current system represents a "bad deal" for patients and taxpayers alike.
It points to big variations in what the NHS is being charged for assessments and care - in one case, a local health board was paying £300 to £3,000 for similar services.
The group says there has been a rapid expansion in new providers – both private firms and charities are involved - and NHS managers are struggling to ensure the quality and safety of care being provided.
The government said an independent review into services and what is behind the rising demand, including whether there is over-diagnosis of these conditions, would be published soon.
Source, BBC News, 28 August 2026
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