Public Affairs25 Sep 2026
NHS Boards Ration Neurodiversity Assessments With Imposed Two-Year Minimum Waits
Four regional NHS integrated care boards across England have introduced mandatory two-year minimum waiting periods for ADHD and autism assessments to curb surging costs and balance local budgets. The measures form part of a broader rationing effort across 15 health boards covering 19 million people, sparking warnings from charities and clinicians that prolonged delays will harm educational outcomes and exacerbate mental health crises. The rationing policies emerge alongside government deliberations over an unreleased, 700-page review examining soaring clinical demand and the health service's capacity.
By NeuraFeed