Health Secretary Wes Streeting has ignited a fierce backlash with his announcement of a review into the potential "overdiagnosis" of ADHD and autism, a move critics argue dangerously misses the point while the NHS buckles under immense pressure.
A Review Framed as 'Overdiagnosis' Amid Record Waiting Lists
The controversial review was unveiled on Thursday 4 December 2025. Streeting framed it as an investigation into whether assessments are "pathologising feelings," a stance that has drawn immediate condemnation from patient advocates and commentators. This comes as the NHS grapples with a waiting list of 500,000 people for ADHD and autism assessments alone, a figure symptomatic of wider systemic failures.
Critics point out the stark timing of this announcement. The health service is simultaneously battling a surge in winter viruses, with the number of flu patients in English hospitals rising by more than 50 per cent. This is compounded by significant government limitations on free flu and Covid jabs this year, despite the identification of a severe new strain. Warnings have been issued for the public to avoid A&E for minor ailments, highlighting a system on the brink.
The Real-World Consequences of Untreated Conditions
Opponents of the review argue it risks trivialising neurodevelopmental conditions that, when left unsupported, carry severe consequences. They stress that diagnosis is not about "writing people off" but providing essential understanding and support. For instance, one in four adults in British prisons is estimated to have ADHD, a figure that rises to 30 per cent among young offenders.
Streeting's focus has also turned to antidepressant use, which he labels a "cause for concern." In England, 8.9 million people are now on antidepressants, up from 6.9 million a decade ago. However, commentators argue this rise is a symptom, not a cause, linked directly to the trauma of a global pandemic that claimed over 232,000 British lives and left at least 1.8 per cent of the population with Long Covid.
A Call for Hope and Understanding, Not Scrutiny
The central charge against the Health Secretary's approach is that it lacks hope and empathy. For many, seeking a diagnosis for ADHD or autism is not a trivial pursuit but a search for an explanation for lifelong struggles. It represents a chance to access strategies and support that can prevent outcomes like financial crisis, relationship breakdown, or suicide.
The article concludes that the government's strategy appears to be one of deflection—scrutinising those seeking help rather than addressing the root causes of a mental health crisis born from pandemic isolation, eroded trust, and a cost-of-living squeeze. The plea is for a change of heart: to build a system that offers understanding and proper care, rather than one that implies people should simply hide their challenges and carry on.
