What's changing?
Currently, the CQC regulates services that provide both diagnosis and treatment for ADHD and autism. Current legislation doesn't let it regulate services that only diagnose. The change will bring those diagnosis-only providers under its oversight too.
Why now?
The announcement follows the independent review chaired by Professor Peter Fonagy into the prevalence of, and support for, mental health conditions, ADHD and autism. The review's final report is published on GOV.UK.
What the CQC says
Adrian James, interim Chief Inspector of Mental Health Care, said the new responsibility will "close a significant gap in our oversight" and give people receiving a diagnosis more confidence in the service they use. Arun Chopra, interim Chief Executive, said the CQC welcomes the chance to help improve the quality of diagnostic support and will work closely with stakeholders as it develops this work.
What it means for patients and providers
For people seeking an assessment, this should mean a consistent regulatory standard across diagnostic services, including those operating only in the private or independent sector. For providers, it means diagnosis-only services will need to prepare for CQC registration and inspection once the legislation is in place.
The CQC hasn't yet published detailed requirements or a start date. We'll update this article as more information is released.
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