In a candid interview with BBC Radio Oxford, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has acknowledged that the NHS is “falling short” in meeting the growing demand for adult autism and ADHD diagnoses. This national issue has become a pressing concern, with Streeting admitting that the government is “failing to cope” with the epidemic-like surge in referrals.
Streeting’s comments come in response to the recent pause on adult referrals in Oxfordshire since 2024, a decision made by local healthcare providers due to an “unprecedented number” of cases. Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and Kingwood, the organisation responsible for autism assessments in the county, have both been forced to temporarily halt new referrals to manage the backlog.
The Health Secretary suggests that increased awareness and a positive shift in attitudes have led more adults to seek support, but the NHS is struggling to keep up. “We’re really falling short on this in the NHS, so we are looking at this nationally,” Streeting said.
In response, the government launched an independent review last year to investigate the rising demand for mental health, ADHD and autism services in England. The review aims to determine whether over-diagnosis is a factor and identify gaps in support.
While the government claims to be investing in expanding services, Streeting acknowledges that there are lengthy waiting times for therapy in many areas. This crisis has left many adults with autism and ADHD facing significant delays in accessing the care and support they desperately need.
The situation in Oxfordshire is emblematic of a wider national problem. Sarah Butcher, the chief executive of Kingwood, stated that the decision to close the waiting list was a “moral obligation” due to the overwhelming demand. However, she remains hopeful that increased funding from the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB) will enable them to provide more diagnoses in the future.
As the government grapples with this escalating issue, the urgent need for improved adult autism and ADHD services across the UK has become increasingly clear. Streeting’s candid admission highlights the pressing challenges faced by the NHS and the need for decisive action to address this growing crisis.
