Weight-loss jabs and autism checks fuel NHS waits

The demand for weight-loss jabs and autism and ADHD assessments is helping drive up NHS waiting lists for community treatment, according to a report.

The size of the NHS community care waiting list for children in England has increased by 58% since data began in 2022, compared with a 23% increase for adults, a study by the Nuffield Trust and the Health Foundation found.

Their study found that more than half (55%) of children and young people on the waiting list are waiting for community paediatric services. These services include neurodevelopmental assessments, which encompass diagnosing and managing conditions such as autism and ADHD.

The report said: “This may partly explain the overall growth in the waiting list for children and young people’s services, as we have previously reported a surge in demand for referrals and assessments for these conditions.”

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Source: Medscape, 16 October 2025