NHS England welcomes work of PANS PANDAS Steering Group 

Following our recent meeting with NHS England to address the variation in care for children and young people with PANS and PANDAS across the UK, we are pleased to share a statement from the National Clinical Directors for Children and Young People and for Children and Young People’s Mental Health. 

Since early 2020, PANS PANDAS UK has been working closely with NHS England, engaging regularly with clinical directors for Children and Young People, Children and Young People’s Mental Health, and Children’s Neurosciences. Together, we have focused on identifying the most effective route to improving awareness, understanding, and healthcare for those affected by these conditions. 

At our latest meeting, we provided an update on the strategic initiatives led by PANS PANDAS UK and the PANS PANDAS Steering Group (PPSG), alongside a report highlighting the stark realities of current patient experiences. 

As part of our discussions, it was agreed that raising clinical awareness of the PPSG’s work, and sharing NHS England’s support of these efforts, will be instrumental in delivering better outcomes for both patients and clinicians. As such, we have prepared an update on the PPSG’s workstreams, and NHS England has kindly shared the following comment:  

“Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections (PANDAS) are recognised as clinical syndromes. However, the lack of disease-specific biomarkers and definitive pathophysiological mechanisms have contributed to challenges in delivering an evidence based and consistent approach to assessment and treatment for children and young people affected. We welcome the collaborative work that the PANS PANDAS Steering Group is undertaking with professional bodies and those with lived experience to increase the evidence base in this area.” 

Professor Prathiba Chitsabesan (FRCPsych), National Clinical Director for Children and Young People’s Mental Health (NHS England) and Professor Simon Kenny, National Clinical Director – Children and Young People (NHS England). 

In the coming weeks, we will share this update with all relevant medical bodies and Royal Colleges, requesting that they circulate it through their networks and bulletins early in 2026. We believe this will be a significant step toward raising awareness and will help pave the way for the dissemination and implementation of the clinical guideline later in 2026.