Concerns raised about quality of new ADHD and autism care providers

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By Daniel Pye

The opening of a number of new private attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism providers has prompted concerns over the quality of care.

The increased demand and lack of NHS capacity has led to the influx of new providers, “fuelled” by patients’ Right to Choose, according to the NHS Alliance.

Doctors and integrated care board (ICB) leaders have now called for a national framework for these services and stronger regulation.

One ICB told the NHS Alliance it now has 80 providers on its patch. Another said two years ago it received invoices from 12-14 but now has 48 on its books.

The growth in providers has seen spend in this area of healthcare rise significantly. According to the NHS Alliance one ICB said its monthly spend had risen from £146,000 in 2024/25 to £1.5 million last year.

“The rapid expansion of new providers has prompted concerns from ICBs about quality assurance and regulation, especially when large numbers of small, non-regulated providers enter the market that are able to deliver assessments but not ongoing care,” it added.