Key facts
- Samantha Jones, permanent secretary at the Department of Health and Social Care, is urged to step away from regulating private ADHD clinics.
Samantha Jones, the UK Department of Health and Social Care's permanent secretary, is facing calls to recuse herself from plans to regulate private ADHD and autism clinics due to her recent ties to the industry. MPs argue her previous involvement with a company that acquired a major ADHD provider creates a conflict of interest.
Public trust in the regulation of private healthcare providers is paramount, and any perception of conflict of interest could undermine confidence in the government's efforts to address concerns about the quality and consistency of neurodiversity assessments.
MPs have called for Samantha Jones, the permanent secretary at the UK's Department of Health and Social Care, to recuse herself from plans to regulate private ADHD and autism clinics. They argue her recent ties to the industry, specifically through her involvement with Keys Group's acquisition of ADHD360, represent a conflict of interest. Jones resigned from her roles and sold her shares in Keys Group and its private equity owner, G Square Capital, shortly before starting her permanent secretary position on June 16, 2025. She had previously recused herself from decisions concerning Palantir's contract due to a similar conflict of interest. The Department of Health and Social Care maintains that no conflict of interest exists and that Jones has appropriately declared all her interests.
Pick the topics you care about. Get only what matters, on your cadence.