NHS England mental health services review: what has it found and what does it recommend?

Prof Peter Fonagy’s 607-page report is categoric that mental distress has increased substantially and ‘cannot be explained by greater awareness alone’ Full report | NHS at risk of ‘system failures’ as demand for ADHD and autism care soars, inquiry finds Analysis | No ‘snowflakes’: mental health review says today’s youth have it harder and harms are real The Fonagy review of NHS England’s mental health, ADHD and au

The Guardian World October 9, 2026 · 2:01 AM 1 MIN READ

Prof Peter Fonagy’s 607-page report is categoric that mental distress has increased substantially and ‘cannot be explained by greater awareness alone’

Full report | NHS at risk of ‘system failures’ as demand for ADHD and autism care soars, inquiry finds

Analysis | No ‘snowflakes’: mental health review says today’s youth have it harder and harms are real

The Fonagy review of NHS England’s mental health, ADHD and autism services was commissioned in 2025 by Wes Streeting, then the health secretary, in response to growing concerns that spiralling waiting lists for assessment, diagnosis and care threatened the NHS’s ability to meet the demand.

The 607-page report, published on Friday, says that without a radical overhaul, mental health and neurodiversity services will be overwhelmed. Here are some of its key findings and recommendations.