An independent review has been launched to examine how the health system delivers mental health, autism, and ADHD services, aiming to ensure children and adults receive the right support when they need it most.
The review, led by Professor Peter Fonagy, forms part of the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan and responds to soaring demand for services. In 1993, 15.5% of adults aged 16–64 had a common mental health condition; by 2023–24, that figure had risen to 22.6%. Meanwhile, the number of people waiting for an autism assessment in September 2025 was thirteen times higher than in April 2019.
Commenting on the review, Professor Fonagy said:
“This review will only be worthwhile if it is built on solid ground.
“We will examine the evidence with care — from research, from people with lived experience, and from clinicians working at the frontline of mental health, autism, and ADHD services — to understand, in a grounded way, what is driving rising demand.
“My aim is to test assumptions rigorously and listen closely to those most affected, so that our recommendations are both honest and genuinely useful.
“We owe it to children and families, young people and adults to provide government with advice that is proportionate, evidence-based, and capable of improving people’s lives.”
Alongside the review, the Government is investing £688 million to recruit 8,500 additional mental health workers, expand NHS Talking Therapies, and increase the number of mental health emergency departments to around 85 nationwide.
The review will investigate rising demand for mental health, ADHD, and autism services and what is driving it, as well as exploring the role of diagnosis in accessing help and assess the effectiveness of current interventions. Alongside this, evidence-based approaches to prevention and early intervention will be recommended.
Additional measures include:
- Expanding NHS Talking Therapies so 915,000 people complete treatment by March 2029.
- Accelerating rollout of Mental Health Support Teams in schools and colleges to achieve full coverage by 2029.
- Piloting neighbourhood adult mental health centres open 24/7 to integrate community, crisis, and inpatient care.
Wes Streeting, Health and Social Care Secretary, added:
“I know from personal experience how devastating it can be for people who face poor mental health, have ADHD or autism, and can’t get a diagnosis or the right support.
“I also know, from speaking to clinicians, how the diagnosis of these conditions is sharply rising.
“We must look at this through a strictly clinical lens to get an evidence-based understanding of what we know, what we don’t know, and what these patterns tell us about our mental health system, autism, and ADHD services.
“That’s the only way we can ensure everyone gets timely access to accurate diagnosis and effective support.”
The review will appoint an advisory group of leading academics, clinicians, charities, and people with lived experience to shape recommendations. Findings will be published in summer 2026, informing the Government’s long-term strategy to tackle the mental health crisis and improve support for neurodiverse individuals.
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