Community Paediatrics and Adult ADHD/ASD Assessment Services – Urgent Funding to Reduce Waiting Times

NHS Essex ICB is seeking urgent provider support to reduce long waiting times for children and adults awaiting ADHD and ASD assessments across Mid and South Essex. This is a time-limited, non-recurrent funding opportunity to transfer approximately 500 of the longest-waiting patients to accredited independent and NHS providers who can mobilise additional capacity on a temporary basis. The contract runs for 2 months and 16 days (23 March 2026 to 30 June 2026) with a total budget of £1,066,725. Providers on the CYP and Adult frameworks are invited to scope activity and facilitate patient transfers. This urgent award has been approved under Regulations 14(1), 14(2) and 14(3) due to the short notice of funding release and critical patient safety considerations. Early expressions of interest from capable providers are encouraged.