UK Clinicians Sound Alarm on Lack of Regulation in ADHD Care Amid Rising Costs
A recent surge in private clinics offering ADHD assessments and treatment has raised concerns among UK-trained consultant psychiatrists, who are warning that the lack of effective regulation is putting patients at risk. For Dr Vicky Cleak, an expert in adult ADHD assessment and treatment, the situation is "deeply troubling" as she faces a lengthy wait to register her practice with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) before being able to see patients.
The UK's National Health Service (NHS) has awarded contracts to multiple companies without CQC registration, leaving patients vulnerable to unqualified practitioners. Furthermore, some healthcare professionals, such as psychologists working alongside prescribing pharmacists, are not subject to the same level of regulation, making it easier for "diagnosis and treatment" services to pop up overnight.
Dr Cleak's experiences in the private sector have given her a unique insight into the consequences of this lack of regulation. She describes the model used by large providers as "contract-driven and narrowly focused," prioritizing throughput over patient need, with clinicians under pressure to replace one another frequently. This can lead to fragmented care and patients only discovering their clinician's departure after it has happened.
The NHS's own incentives for prescribing medication have also raised concerns. In Dr Cleak's experience, patients may be prescribed amphetamines as a "quick fix" before therapy is even considered. The long-term health costs of this approach are significant, with some individuals experiencing dependency and damage from these medications.
Another contributor, Mona Sood, warns parents about the risks of unregulated ADHD provision for their children. With only psychostimulants or amphetamines recommended by the NHS National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, non-pharmacological treatment options that prioritize neuroplasticity are often overlooked. As a result, patients may be left with long-term health costs without access to effective, non-invasive treatments.
The lack of regulation in ADHD care is a pressing concern, as patients rely on the NHS to provide high-quality assessments and treatment. Dr Cleak's experiences highlight the need for better oversight and prioritization of patient needs over profit-driven models.
A recent surge in private clinics offering ADHD assessments and treatment has raised concerns among UK-trained consultant psychiatrists, who are warning that the lack of effective regulation is putting patients at risk. For Dr Vicky Cleak, an expert in adult ADHD assessment and treatment, the situation is "deeply troubling" as she faces a lengthy wait to register her practice with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) before being able to see patients.
The UK's National Health Service (NHS) has awarded contracts to multiple companies without CQC registration, leaving patients vulnerable to unqualified practitioners. Furthermore, some healthcare professionals, such as psychologists working alongside prescribing pharmacists, are not subject to the same level of regulation, making it easier for "diagnosis and treatment" services to pop up overnight.
Dr Cleak's experiences in the private sector have given her a unique insight into the consequences of this lack of regulation. She describes the model used by large providers as "contract-driven and narrowly focused," prioritizing throughput over patient need, with clinicians under pressure to replace one another frequently. This can lead to fragmented care and patients only discovering their clinician's departure after it has happened.
The NHS's own incentives for prescribing medication have also raised concerns. In Dr Cleak's experience, patients may be prescribed amphetamines as a "quick fix" before therapy is even considered. The long-term health costs of this approach are significant, with some individuals experiencing dependency and damage from these medications.
Another contributor, Mona Sood, warns parents about the risks of unregulated ADHD provision for their children. With only psychostimulants or amphetamines recommended by the NHS National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, non-pharmacological treatment options that prioritize neuroplasticity are often overlooked. As a result, patients may be left with long-term health costs without access to effective, non-invasive treatments.
The lack of regulation in ADHD care is a pressing concern, as patients rely on the NHS to provide high-quality assessments and treatment. Dr Cleak's experiences highlight the need for better oversight and prioritization of patient needs over profit-driven models.
this is so worrying 
the UK's NHS should really step up their game when it comes to regulating private clinics offering ADHD services 
patients are literally getting left behind 
Dr Cleak's words on how some docs are just in it for a quick profit fix is super concerning 
so not surprised that private clinics are popping up everywhere now... like, it's just easier to find someone who'll sign off on a diagnosis and prescribe meds without asking too many questions, right? 
it's like the NHS is more interested in just getting rid of meds than actually treating people... i mean, what's wrong with a little old-fashioned therapy session every now and then? 
. It's like, how can we trust them to give us the right treatment if we don't know who they are? And it's not just that, but also the meds - I've heard those amphetamines can be super bad for you in the long run 
. I think we need some sort of way to make sure these clinics are legit and that patients get the best care possible 
.
It's like the system is just letting things slide because it's all about the benjamins, $$$$. 
We need some serious oversight and accountability here, pronto! 
. And don't even get me started on the NHS contracts – it's like they're just handing out lucrative deals without checking if the people taking them are actually qualified 
.
. These private clinics are basically profiting off people who need help, and that's just not right 
.
We need better oversight and prioritization of patient needs over profit-driven models. I mean, we should be focusing on fixing the puzzle, not just moving the pieces around 
.
. We need to think about long-term solutions that prioritize neuroplasticity and non-invasive treatments 
.
. And can we please just have some better guidelines for ADHD treatment? I mean, it's a serious condition, not just something to be "fixed" with a quick fix 
.
this is so crazy! they're basically letting anyone offer ADHD treatments without proper qualifications or checks? it's like a huge risk to patients' health & wellbeing 
! I mean, imagine having to wait months just to get an appointment with a doctor for ADHD 
! It's heartbreaking to think about people being prescribed medication without trying other options first 
. Let's hope the government takes this seriously and does something about it 
. I mean, what if those clinics are using unproven treatments or worse? It's like we're putting people's health in the hands of strangers who might not have their best interests at heart.
And don't even get me started on the NHS not prioritizing non-pharmacological treatments, that's just a recipe for disaster 
. Clinicians should be prioritizing patient needs over profits - it's basic human decency 
.
. Non-pharmacological treatment options that prioritize neuroplasticity are being overlooked for quick fixes with amphetamines? It's a short-sighted approach that could have serious long-term consequences 
. Anything less is just unacceptable 
.
. We need better regulation and more oversight so that patients can trust that they're getting good care 
. It's time to put people over profits! 
️.
It's like they're putting profits over people's health. And what really grinds my gears is that these big private clinics are basically doing whatever they want with no oversight 
. It's not fair to the NHS or patients who just want to get proper help 
. Our patients deserve better