Health Secretary Wes Streeting has announced an independent review into the rising demand for mental health, ADHD and autism services across England. The review will examine whether there is evidence of over-diagnosis, as well as identify gaps in support for people with genuine clinical need.
The government has stated that increased pressure on the NHS has led to long waits and difficulties accessing timely care, with some individuals being referred onto diagnostic pathways when other forms of early support may suffice.
The review, chaired by clinical psychologist Professor Peter Fonagy, will deliver findings in Summer 2026.
Professor Fonagy said the review aims to “test assumptions rigorously and listen closely to those most affected.”
Streeting added that an “evidence-based understanding” is essential to ensure timely access and effective support.
Seven Care Services: Diagnostic Demand Reflects Unmet Need, Not System Misuse
In response to the announcement, Seven Care Services, a specialist provider of autism and ADHD assessment and complex care, welcomed the review but cautioned against narratives that frame rising demand as a consequence of over-diagnosis.
A spokesperson for Seven Care Services said:
“Across England, we are supporting children and adults with complex, multi-factorial needs who have been failed by fragmented systems for years. Demand for assessment reflects unmet need, not misuse of services. Delayed diagnosis leads to crisis, breakdown, and higher long-term cost to the state.”
Seven Care Services delivers face-to-face, multi-disciplinary assessments under NHS and local authority contracts, as well as community services for autistic and learning-disabled adults.
The organisation highlighted that lengthy waits for diagnosis often result in:
Deterioration in mental health
Increased behavioural risk
School exclusion
Family breakdown
Escalation to emergency or inpatient services
“Early access to assessment is not a luxury – it is prevention,” the spokesperson said.
“If the review focuses solely on restricting access rather than building capacity, it risks widening inequalities.”
System Pressure Is Real – But Solutions Must Be Upstream
The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged that pressure on the NHS has left people with acute needs experiencing long waits, inequalities, and abandonment.
Seven Care Services argues that pressures will not be resolved through diagnostic gatekeeping, but through investment in:
Early intervention
Trauma-informed pathways
Post-diagnostic support
Community-based services
“If someone presents with distress, exclusion, or trauma, sending them away is not a solution,” the organisation said.
“The review must consider the social and structural drivers behind mental health and neurodevelopmental need, not just clinical categorisation.”
Rising Rates Reflect Changing Awareness, Not Diagnostic Inflation
Recent figures show that 22.6% of adults report mental health problems, up from 17.6% in 2007.
Rates are higher among young people and those facing unemployment or poverty.
Seven Care Services warned that reductions in stigma and improved recognition of autism and ADHD—particularly among women and ethnic minorities—should be seen as progress, not evidence of over-diagnosis.
“We have a responsibility to recognise presentations that have historically been overlooked. Rising diagnosis rates are often a sign that systems are finally catching up with reality.”
Services Need Capacity, Not Caution
While Government sources have suggested that some referrals could be managed with short-term support, Seven Care Services emphasised that early, practical intervention requires resourced infrastructure, not a narrowing of eligibility.
The organisation is calling for:
Faster access to assessment
Standardised national pathways
Sustainable commissioning models
Mandatory post-diagnostic support
Workforce development in trauma-informed care
“The question should not be who we can exclude from diagnosis, but how we can create the right support at the right time, so crisis does not become inevitable.”
Opportunity for System-Level Change
Mental health charity Mind and the Royal College of Psychiatrists have welcomed the review, stating that it presents a vital opportunity to examine the root causes of rising need.
The National Autistic Society warned that while referral numbers may be stabilising, average waiting times are “rocketing”.
Seven Care Services echoed these concerns, noting that in many regions, individuals face waits of several years, particularly for autism assessments.
“We support any review that is evidence-based, clinically rigorous and patient-centred. But it must not minimise lived experience, or penalise the people who need help most.”
About Seven Care Services
Seven Care Services delivers specialist autism and ADHD assessments, NHS waiting list reduction programmes, and complex supported living for autistic adults and those with learning disabilities across Coventry, Warwickshire and the Midlands.
The organisation operates multi-disciplinary, face-to-face assessment clinics and provides 24/7 support to individuals with high levels of vulnerability and risk.
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