ADHD and autism: Two year minimum waits imposed in fresh NHS rationing drive

Nearly half of England’s NHS integrated care boards (ICBs) have introduced rationing for assessments of autism and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, with some imposing two year minimum waits for diagnosis in adults and children, a report has found.The analysis by Finally Seen,1 a private organisation that supports people who challenge NHS restrictions on patients’ right to choose, found that 15 ICBs, covering 19 million people, have implemented a variety of rationing measures for ADHD and autism services.Four ICBs—West Yorkshire, North East and North Cumbria, Somerset, and Devon—have imposed two year minimum waits for assessments. Others have used “clinical prioritisation” criteria to restrict assessment to patients with the most serious signs of neurodiversity.Charities have described the measures as “scandalous” and warned that the delays could increase the risk of suicide and damage children’s chances of succeeding at school.Earlier this month an investigation by The BMJ found that half of ICBs in England…