ADHD campaigners celebrate budget change 'success'
BBCParents and campaigners have welcomed the scrapping of proposed NHS budget limits which could have increased the wait for an ADHD diagnosis.
NHS England removed plans to set payment limits on its "right to choose" providers which allow GPs to refer patients for assessment anywhere in England.
Hartlepool mum Leanne Baister, who felt "stuck" because the proposals would affect her seven-year-old son Toby's assessment, said it "feels like a moment of success".
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said the change would "help reduce waiting times and deliver the 18-week standard in a cost-effective way that delivers value to taxpayers".
There were fears the change for the 2025/26 budget would make waiting times jump but, after a period of consultation, NHS England said it has removed the proposal to "require commissioners to set payment limits for elective services", calling it a "substantial change".
'Won a major battle'
Mrs Baister was considering using right to choose to get a quicker assessment for Toby who also has Down's syndrome.
"I feel like we have a window of opportunity that has opened," she said.
"This has dramatically reduced our worries to know that what could have been a lengthy wait will be dramatically much less."
But she said uncertainty still remained.
Many areas of the UK have such long backlogs for adult ADHD assessments that it would take at least eight years to clear them, a BBC investigation found last year.
The charity ADHD UK said of the proposal change: "It's an important moment but the situation remains chaotic.
"We've won a major battle to stop things getting worse but the fight for proper NHS ADHD care continues."
The DHSC previously said it was working with NHS England's cross-sector taskforce to tackle the challenges those with ADHD face, including timely access to services and support.
A spokesperson said changes made to the initial budget proposals "introduce more flexible elective activity planning, remove the elective payment limit and strengthen activity management provisions".