Top health civil servant urged to play no role in clampdown on ADHD clinics
Summary
MPs have asked Samantha Jones, the top civil servant at the Department of Health and Social Care, to stay out of deciding rules for private ADHD and autism clinics. They are concerned because she was linked to a company that provides many NHS-funded neurodiversity assessments. The government wants to tighten rules on private clinics to improve the quality and fairness of ADHD and autism diagnosis services.Key Facts
- MPs from Labour and Liberal Democrats want Samantha Jones to avoid involvement in regulating private ADHD and autism clinics.
- Jones previously had roles and shares in Keys Group, which bought ADHD360, a major private ADHD clinic provider.
- ADHD360 earned £26 million from the NHS in England over six years.
- The government accepted a review that found problems with the quality and incentives in private neurodiversity assessments.
- Jones resigned from her private sector roles before starting her current job at the Department of Health and Social Care in June 2025.
- MPs say her past links create a conflict of interest regarding regulation plans.
- Jones has already recused herself from decisions involving a separate company, Palantir, due to a potential conflict.
- The health secretary has promised stronger rules for private ADHD and autism services.
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