NHS managers are sounding the alarm over potential chaos in autism and ADHD care, citing spiraling costs and the unchecked expansion of private providers. The NHS Alliance, representing health managers, has warned that the current system offers a "bad deal" for both patients and taxpayers.
The alliance highlighted substantial variations in the costs charged for assessments and care by different providers, with one local health board reportedly paying between £300 and £3,000 for similar services. The rapid increase in new providers, including private firms and charities, is making it difficult for NHS managers to ensure the quality and safety of the care being delivered.
The government has indicated that an independent review of these services is forthcoming and that it intends to act on its findings, promising a "new national approach" for autism, ADHD, and mental health services. This review aims to address the challenges within the current system.
The NHS Alliance has been collecting data from integrated care boards, which manage local service budgets, to assess the current state of care. Under the existing "right to choose" policy, patients have the option to receive care from non-NHS providers, a measure intended to help bypass lengthy waiting lists. While this policy has led to a reduction in waiting times for some adults and children due to the influx of new providers, it has also been accompanied by a sharp rise in expenditure. Some boards have reported a tenfold increase in monthly costs, reaching up to £1.5 million, while another saw its annual spend escalate from £4 million to £30 million over two years.