2026/2088

I am writing to request the following information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in relation to autism and ADHD assessment services commissioned by the ICB. Where figures are held, please split them between adults (18+) and children and young people (under 18). I would be grateful to receive the response in Excel format where possible.

In this request, “these services” means autism assessment and diagnosis, ADHD assessment and diagnosis, combined autism and ADHD assessment and diagnosis, and ADHD medication prescribing, titration and review.

• Total spend with independent-sector providers for each of these services in 2023/24, 2024/25 and 2025/26, including activity under patient choice (Right to Choose).
• The number of patients referred to independent-sector providers under patient choice (Right to Choose) for autism assessment and for ADHD assessment in each of those three years.
• For each current contract or arrangement with an independent-sector provider for these services: the provider name; the service(s) covered; the age group; the award route (for example a named framework, competitive process, direct award or Right to Choose); the payment model (for example block, cost and volume, or activity-based); the total annual contract value; and the contract start date, end date and any remaining extension options.
• The budget allocated for independent-sector provision of these services in 2026/27.
• Details of any planned procurement or Provider Selection Regime process for these services in 2026/27 or 2027/28, and a copy of any forward procurement plan that covers them.
• A copy of any current policy, guidance or board paper that restricts, caps or sets conditions on patient choice (Right to Choose) referrals for autism or ADHD assessment.
• A copy of the ICB’s current ADHD shared care protocol.
• A copy of the ICB’s most recent demand and capacity analysis or commissioning intentions for these services, if one is held.
• The job title of the post responsible for commissioning these services.

If answering this request in full would exceed the appropriate cost limit, please prioritise questions 3, 5 and 6, and let me know how the remainder of the request could be refined so that it can be answered.

• The below table shows the total spend across our Independent Sector providers for ASD and ADHD between 1st April 2026 – 31st March 2026. Prior to 1st April 2025 spend related to Autism assessments was held by localities and combined with LD placements so NHS Greater Manchester ICB is unable to identify spend related specifically for ASD assessment services for the periods before 1st April 2025 – 31st March 2026.
• NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board (NHS GM ICB) does not routinely hold a complete, consolidated dataset of the number of patients referred to independent-sector providers under the NHS Right to Choose arrangements, broken down by assessment type and financial year.

As referrals are made through individual providers and referral routes, the ICB is unable to provide a complete and verified breakdown of the number of patients referred for ADHD and autism assessments for each of the three years requested. The information is therefore not held by NHS GM.

• The following providers have contracts with NHS Greater Manchester ICB to deliver Autism and ADHD diagnosis assessments.

Several other providers that have applied, are currently undergoing the accreditation assessment process.

Several Providers also deliver non contracted activity under qualifying contracts from other ICBs, which NHS GM does not accredit.

Other GM Contracted Providers of ND services are as follows:

Jacobs clinic delivers annual review of Adult ADHD patients – 1 year contract, ends 31^st March 2027. Value £844,758

In addition, several GM NHS Trusts deliver ND (ASD and/or ADHD) services:

• NHS Greater Manchester ICB has allocated a total budget for independent sector ASD and ADHD assessment provision of £10,953,991 for the period 1st April 2026 – 31st March 2027 with £1,800,000 for ADHD and ASD prescribing.

5)    NHS Greater Manchester ICB has no planned procurement for these services during 2026/27. In line with NHS England requirements, the ICB is currently operating an open provider accreditation scheme for eligible providers.

There is no forward procurement plan covering these services.

Contracting arrangements for 2027/28 are currently under review. Further details are therefore not available at this stage.

6)    NHS Greater Manchester ICB’s current commissioning policies for ADHD and autism services are attached. These documents set out the applicable commissioning requirements and conditions, including arrangements relating to Right to Choose referrals.

7)    NHS Greater Manchester ICB does not hold a separate ICB-specific ADHD shared care protocol. The relevant guidance is available through the Greater Manchester Medicines Management Group (GMMMG), which publishes guidance on shared care arrangements.

8)    NHS Greater Manchester ICB does not hold a current demand and capacity analysis or commissioning intentions document for these services that can be provided in response to this request.

The post responsible for commissioning these services is Head of Strategic Mental Health Commissioning.