ADHD Diagnoses Surge: Private Clinics Under Fire

A forthcoming government review will assert that private psychiatry firms are frequently misdiagnosing ADHD in children, calling for increased regulatory oversight. The report indicates that a significant shift, where the majority of NHS-funded ADHD assessments are now conducted by independent providers, constitutes a market failure that artificially inflates diagnosis rates.

The review, led by Professor Peter Fonagy, is expected to recommend that the Care Quality Commission scrutinize private clinics more closely. It may also propose a ban on advertisements for NHS-funded assessment and treatment. These recommendations stem from concerns over the rapid increase in diagnoses of ADHD, autism, anxiety, and depression, and their potential link to sickness benefit claims.

Previously, interim findings suggested that educational and welfare systems might incentivize seeking diagnoses. The final report will likely suggest decoupling school support from ADHD diagnoses and promoting quicker non-medical interventions. It will also advocate for better triaging of NHS waiting lists to prioritize children at risk of school exclusion.

The review notes that diagnosis rates for ADHD have more than doubled since 2021, with projections of significant over-diagnosis if trends continue. While acknowledging the role of private providers, the report will emphasize the need for closer regulation and controls on fees charged to the NHS, as well as a national framework for consistent access and quality. The government has stated the report will inform its new national approach.