Plan to limit number of NHS patients diagnosed with ADHD attacked as ‘rationing’ healthcare

Review due next week expected to say patients should be ‘triaged’ and offered support without formal diagnosis

Proposals to limit the number of patients being formally diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have been attacked as “rationing” healthcare and pushing children and adults to self-diagnosis via social media.

The comments came before a government review due next week, which is expected to say that patients with ADHD symptoms should not automatically be formally diagnosed, but should be “triaged” and offered support without the need for a formal diagnosis.