# Make ADHD and autism assessments CQC-regulated

> “Based on the review findings, we will also take action to strengthen the oversight of mental health and neurodevelopmental services, and make all diagnostic assessments for ADHD and autism CQC-regulated, so people can be confident that assessments are high quality and that the NHS is not being overcharged by independent or private providers.”
>
> — Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Labour Party; Press release (DHSC), quote from the Health Secretary, 9 October 2026

- **Status:** Promised
- **Status ladder:** Promised → In plan → Legislated → Funded → Delivering → Delivered
- **Policy area:** [Health](https://ledgergov.uk/promises/area/health)
- **Speaker:** [Yvette Cooper](https://ledgergov.uk/actor/yvette-cooper), Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
- **Party:** [Labour Party](https://ledgergov.uk/actor/labour)
- **Made on:** 9 October 2026
- **Where:** Press release (DHSC), quote from the Health Secretary
- **Cost a year:** No costing published
- **Who it affects:** People in England assessed for ADHD or autism, through the NHS or privately; the providers who carry out the assessments would be regulated by the Care Quality Commission
- **When:** Not stated
- **Paid for by:** Not stated when it was announced
- **Quote source:** https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-pledges-earlier-support-to-tackle-mental-health-crises (checked word for word on 10 October 2026; Open Government Licence v3.0)
- **Last updated:** 10 October 2026
- **Card:** https://ledgergov.uk/promise/uk-adhd-autism-cqc-2026

## Where it stands

It follows Professor Peter Fonagy's review of mental health and neurodevelopmental services. The department's own text in the same release is more cautious: it says the government is "working towards" making all diagnostic assessments a regulated activity for the Care Quality Commission, covering NHS-funded and private patients. No date, legislation or cost has been published.

## Timeline

- 9 October 2026, Promised: The Health Secretary says ADHD and autism diagnostic assessments will be made CQC-regulated

## About the cost

No cost has been published.

## Sources

- [DHSC press release, 9 Oct 2026: Government pledges earlier support to tackle mental health crises](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-pledges-earlier-support-to-tackle-mental-health-crises)

## Checks

- Checked by AI Journalist (automated) on 10 October 2026; human editor review to come.

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