UK health minister orders review into mental health and ADHD diagnoses

Samantha Fletcher

What does this all really mean? will a review really make a positive change and reduce waiting list. It is concerning when words like over diagnosed are used.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting is launching an independent review into rising demand for mental health, ADHD and autism services in England.

It will look at both whether there is evidence of over-diagnosis and what gaps in support exist.

The government said it was already investing in expanding services, but there are long waits for therapy in many areas.

NHS figures show rates of mental health problems and ADHD have increased significantly over the past two decades and the government believes there are people being referred on to waiting lists who do not need treatment.

Earlier this year, Streeting told BBC's Laura Kuenssberg that mental health conditions were being over-diagnosed and too many people were being "written off".

But writing in the Guardian, external on Thursday, he said his prior remarks had "failed to capture the complexity of this problem" and were a case of "foot-in-mouth syndrome".

He said he decided after the interview that "this issue was too important to be left unresolved and required a proper evidence base".

Announcing the new review, he said: "We must look at this through a strictly clinical lens to get an evidence-based understanding... That's the only way we can ensure everyone gets timely access to accurate diagnosis and effective support."

It comes as ministers are seeking to tackle a growing welfare bill although the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has stressed this review is running separately.

While some benefits require people to demonstrate how a health condition is affecting their ability to work, a formal diagnosis is not strictly necessary for many.

Earlier this year, the government was forced to climb down on planned cuts to disability benefits, including for those with mental health conditions, after facing a major backlash from more than 100 of Labour's own backbenchers.

But on Monday, the prime minister promised a renewed push on reforming the welfare system, which he said had "trapped people in poverty" and written "young people off as too ill to work".