NHS England to review ADHD services amid concerns over rising diagnoses
The NHS in England is to launch a major review into attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) services amid concerns over a rise in diagnoses.
ADHD is a condition that affects people’s behavior. People with ADHD can appear restless, have difficulty concentrating and may act impulsively, according to the NHS.
Support groups say the condition is underdiagnosed and patients face long waits for treatments. But there are also concerns that ADHD is being over-diagnosed, with rogue private clinics offering patients powerful drugs only to be told they have the condition after unreliable online reviews.
NHS England said the aim of setting up the taskforce with the government was to improve care for people with the condition.
It will bring together expertise from a range of sectors, including the NHS, education and justice, to better understand the challenges faced by people with ADHD and help deliver a joined-up approach in response to concerns about rising demand, NHS England said in a statement.
ADHD was the second most viewed health condition on the NHS website in 2023, after Covid-19, according to figures from NHS England, with 4.3 million page views over the year.
The discussion about ADHD is also widespread on social media worldwide, with #ADHD racking up tens of billions of hits on TikTok.
Announcing the taskforce at an NHS England board meeting this week, health leaders outlined the work they had already done in assessing ADHD services and identifying the causes of the reported increase in demand.
An initial review of NHS care for people with ADHD found that many of the challenges extended across wider society, including capacity, drug supply issues, variation in services and a lack of reliable data, which the new expert group found in more would investigate in detail, NHS England said.
The taskforce will also work with patients, providers, primary care services, local authorities, schools, education providers and clinical teams. The findings are expected to be published later this year. The job description will be published in the coming weeks.
The World Health Organization defines ADHD as a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that has a direct negative impact on academic, occupational or social functioning. It is estimated that approximately one in twenty children worldwide suffer from the condition.
Amanda Pritchard, CEO of NHS England, said: “NHS staff across the country are working hard to ensure that all patients who need assessments and further support from ADHD services are seen as quickly as possible.
“We have recognized that more needs to be done to ensure people can receive a timely diagnosis and, importantly, that all their needs are met.
“This is hugely complex work and this taskforce will need to consult a wide range of partners and experts to better understand the issues impacting people with ADHD and how services can be better joined together to meet the people’s needs today and in the future. the future.
“This is a vital first step in helping us achieve real improvements in the ADHD services provided by the NHS and the independent sector.”
Steve Russell, Chief Delivery Officer for NHS England, said officials would use the findings from the initial review to improve data collection to better understand the scale of the challenge in England.
Victoria Atkins, the Health Minister, said it is crucial that people with ADHD not only receive a timely assessment and diagnosis, but also the support they need to live fulfilled lives.
“We are already exploring opportunities to improve data collection and reporting on assessment wait times, and this new taskforce is critical to supporting this work and ensuring they receive faster, easier and fairer care.
“A better understanding of the issues faced by people with ADHD will help us in government and the NHS tackle these and create long-term solutions.”