NHS Hampshire & Isle of Wight responds to concerns from Caroline Dinenage over funding for autism and ADHD assessments
Gosport MP alarmed by the implications of funding cuts
The MP for Gosport has written to the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board with concerns that it is going to stop funding for autism and ADHD assessments.
Dame Caroline Dinenage said she was “alarmed by its damaging consequences” in a letter to the ICB’s chief executive Maggie MacIssac which was shared on social media.
Waiting for an assessment for ADHD and autism through the Right to Choose (RTC) pathway can take a long time with the ICB’s latest update in March stating that only the people with the highest level of need will be offered appointments in 2027.
In response to a request for comment by The News, the ICB has advised it is not stopping funding and is instead diversifying it services to cope with the demand and enable people to access help sooner.
The letter by the Conservative MP said: “This decision affects many of my constituents in Gosport, Stubbington, Lee-on-the-Solent, and Hill Head who, like me, are alarmed by its damaging consequences.
“The need for this funding is desperate. In March 2026, 18,600 patients across the Hampshire, Southampton, and Isle of Wight ICB area had an open suspected autism referral. Of these, 17,355 had a referral open for 13 weeks or more but had yet to receive a first appointment.
“Both adults and parents of children with suspected autism and ADHD are left confused by the withdrawal of vital resources. Communication on this decision has been lacking, with many constituents unaware of the decision to suspend funding before I have informed them.”
The letter goes on to state that the risks of leaving people undiagnosed and untreated are “too dangerous to ignore” with a report by the National Institutes of Health finding that undiagnosed ADHD can lead to greater rates of depression as well as higher rates of suicide.
Caroline Dinenage has asked for an “urgent” reconsideration of the decision to withdraw the funding.
However the ICB has stated that it is not stopping funding for the assessments but has called demand for the services as “unsustainable”. As such it is prioritising those most in need while expanding and enhancing other services so that those waiting have a better chance of receiving help.
A spokesperson for NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said: “We recognise how difficult it is for people not to be able to access a diagnosis and how frustrating it can be for families too. NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight is continuing to fund ADHD and autism assessments now and in the future, with spending in this area having increased by 446 per cent over the past three years.
“However, it is the reality that the demand for these services is unsustainable within the NHS locally and for those patients who choose to seek an independent provider via their right to choose.
“We have a duty to manage this as best we can and to address the significant backlog number of patients that need support who are currently waiting an unacceptably long time for a diagnosis. To do this, we are prioritising those with the greatest need on the waiting list with investment into medication, reviews and titration for those already diagnosed as well as new referrals for assessment based on our clear clinical prioritisation criteria.
“However, we recognise that people and families need support immediately and not just after diagnosis, which is why we are expanding our ADHD and autism community hubs for adults, enhancing digital services and increasing peer support as well as introducing a single point of access pilot to create one entry point for all referrals. For children, there is now a neurodiversity team in each local area and we are expanding a program with schools to help meet children’s needs in school settings too. All of these services are what we call ‘needs led’ and can be accessed regardless of a diagnosis”.
Details on the RTC pathway and other services available for autism and ADHD can be found here: https://www.hantsiow.icb.nhs.uk/your-health/mental-health-services/autism-and-adhd-assessment-services