The NHS ombudsman has highlighted severe pressures in England’s autism and ADHD services, with complaints surging over five years as waiting times stretch into years and patients face steep private care costs. Cases include a woman abruptly removed from an ADHD medication list after nearly four years, leaving her without treatment for months, and another receiving an inadequate 50-minute autism assessment that ignored official guidelines. Meanwhile, a man forced to pay nearly £4,000 for private ADHD treatment after being referred to a service that wasn’t yet open underscores the strain on public healthcare. Official figures reveal a system struggling to meet demand, raising concerns over access to essential support.
NHS ombudsman warns of years-long waits and patients paying thousands to go private as demand for services soarsComplaints about autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder services in England have more than tripled in five years, official figures show, with the NHS ombudsman warning of years-long waits and patients paying thousands of pounds for private care.One woman was removed from an ADHD medication waiting list without warning after almost four years, leaving her without the support she needed for about six months. Another patient was given an autism assessment lasting just 50 minutes that failed to follow guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, while a man referred to an ADHD service that was not yet operational ended up paying almost £4,000 for private treatment. Continue reading...
