Autism and ADHD care complaints more than triple in five years in England
Summary
Complaints about autism and ADHD services in England have more than tripled over five years, with many patients facing long waits and paying for private care. The NHS ombudsman says demand is much higher than service capacity, causing delays and confusion for patients needing assessment and treatment.Key Facts
- Complaints rose from 410 in 2021-22 to 1,257 in 2025-26, over a 200% increase.
- About 562,000 NHS referrals for autism and ADHD assessments are currently open.
- More than 60% of adults and children face waiting times longer than one year.
- Some patients were removed from waiting lists without notice, delaying care for months.
- One man paid nearly £4,000 for private ADHD treatment after NHS delays.
- The ombudsman found confusion about patients’ rights to choose their care providers.
- Problems include inconsistent diagnosis recognition and long waits for assessment and treatment.
- The government has launched an independent review, with a report expected later this summer.
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