Community Mental Health Services: Fourth Report of Session 2024–26.
House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee; 2026.
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cmselect/cmhealth/566/report.html
[This report says that many people experience unacceptably long waits to access care, are discharged without ongoing support, and are denied care because they do not meet arbitrary thresholds. The Committee wants to see a 24/7 Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre in every community. But it says that the chances of this are threatened by short-term funding cycles, lack of digital interoperability, workforce shortages, and unclear plans for national scale-up of 6 pilot centres.]
Freely available online
Guidance
Guidance on good quality specialist community psychology services for people with learning disabilities.
British Psychological Society (BPS); 2025.
https://explore.bps.org.uk/content/report-guideline/bpsrep.2025.rep191
[This guidance says what good community psychology services should look like for adults with
learning disabilities. It’s designed to help psychologists and other professionals, service providers and commissioners. It may also help people with learning disabilities and their families and carers if they need to know what should be in psychology services.]
Freely available online
Learning from Lives and Deaths
People with a learning disability and autistic people (LeDeR)
Kings College London
The national Learning from Lives and Deaths – people with a learning disability and autistic people (LeDeR) report (2023) has been re-published in January 2026.
The Learning from Lives and Deaths – people with a learning disability and autistic people (LeDeR) programme, funded by NHS England and NHS Improvement, was established in 2017 to improve healthcare for people with a learning disability and autistic people. LeDeR aims to:
- Improve care for people with a learning disability and autistic people.
- Reduce health inequalities for people with a learning disability and autistic people.
- Prevent people with a learning disability and autistic people from early deaths.
Access the report here: Learning from Lives and Deaths – people with a learning disability and autistic people (LeDeR) | King’s College London
A Qualitative Study on the Experiences of Adult Females with Late Diagnosis of ASD and ADHD in the UK
Wills V, Chakraborty R. 2026 Jan 14;14(2):209. doi: 10.3390/healthcare14020209. PMID: 41595345; PMCID: PMC12840745
Adult females with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are frequently underdiagnosed due to gender bias, overlapping symptoms, and limited awareness among healthcare professionals. The scarcity of research on this subject—particularly in the UK context—underscores the need for further investigation. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of adult females receiving a late diagnosis of ASD and/or ADHD and to identify key barriers within the UK diagnostic pathway.
Read the full article here: A Qualitative Study on the Experiences of Adult Females with Late Diagnosis of ASD and ADHD in the UK – PubMed Freely accessible
Supporting Neurodivergent Practitioners
The Role of NHS Resolution’s Practitioner Performance Advice Service
In today’s NHS, we are not only recognising but celebrating the extraordinary value that neurodivergent practitioners bring to healthcare. A GP with ADHD may channel energy and rapid problem-solving into thriving under pressure. An autistic surgeon may bring unparalleled depth of focus and precision to complex procedures. These are not just individual strengths, they are assets to patient care and to the teams they work within. Neurodivergent professionals enrich our workforce with fresh perspectives, exceptional skills, and a diversity of thinking that drives innovation and excellence across the NHS.
Find out more: Supporting Neurodivergent Practitioners: The Role of NHS Resolution’s Practitioner Performance Advice Service – NHS Resolution
Substance Misuse Treatment
Secure Settings
Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID); 2026.
Statistics for alcohol and drug misuse treatment in prisons and other secure settings from the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS). Healthcare professionals can use these resources to understand outcomes of alcohol and drug treatment services in secure settings in England and the profile of adults and young people accessing alcohol and drug treatment services. The data will help with planning, commissioning and improving services in secure settings.
Access here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/substance-misuse-treatment-in-secure-settings-2024-to-2025
Freely available online
Virtual Reality and Dementia Care In England
Emerging Evidence and Future Directions
Sheppy B. British Journal of Healthcare Management 2025;31(10):1-4.
(Dementia represents one of the most significant public health challenges in England, affecting around 982000 individuals, with this figure predicted to reach 1.4 million by 2040 (Alzheimer’s Research UK, 2025). This article explores the emerging evidence base supporting virtual reality applications for people with dementia in England. It draws on research, theoretical models and policy developments, offering insights into how virtual reality could be integrated into dementia care pathways.)
Article link: Virtual reality and dementia care in England: emerging evidence and future directions | British Journal of Healthcare Management
Please request from the library: academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk
Community Health
January Bulletin
The latest Community Health Bulletin is ready for you to view at https://www.evidentlybetter.org/community-bulletin/2026/01/27-january-2026/
In this edition:
- Eating disorder services for children and young people: National guidance
- Lost in my own city: Life after prison
- Health Inequalities Briefing Pack: What is it and how should we use it?
- Life-saving Jess’s Rule to be advertised in every GP surgery
- Digital harms are a modern determinant of health – and a population health issue
- Amend regulations to support the supply and deployment of vaccines
- Plus much more
Children and Young People Physical Activity
February Data 2026
Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID); 2026.
Data on levels of physical activity in children and young people, part of the the obesity, physical activity and nutrition profile on Fingertips. A new indicator showing the percentage of less active children and young people has been added to the profile. The indicator on percentage of physically active children and young people has been updated with 2024 to 2025 data.
Access here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-and-young-people-physical-activity-data-february-2026
Freely available online
Learning Disabilities & Autism
The latest Learning Disabilities & Autism bulletin is ready for you to view at https://www.evidentlybetter.org/learning-disability-autism/2026/01/27-january-2026-2/
In this edition:
- Symptom change in depression and anxiety during psychological therapy for autistic adults
- Influence of posture during mastication on body composition and nutritional intake in individuals with Down syndrome
- Autism Act: government response to Lords Select Committee report
- NSPCC produces new resources on puberty and learning disabilities
- Demand for occupational therapy mounts due to multiple and complex long-term conditions
- Study now recruiting: Inclusive Talk
- Plus much more
Please let me know if you think there are other people who would benefit from receiving this and I will add them to the mailing list.
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