AQW 8352/22-27

Ms Cheryl Brownlee
Democratic Unionist Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 06/03/2024
Answered On Date: 27/03/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health whether his Department plans to allow younger teenagers access to a child ADHD assessment instead of an adult assessment.

Answer:

Provision of service for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) assessment and diagnosis has grown organically across Trusts in response to population demand and available expertise within Health & Social Care teams. Whilst a level of provision is available for ADHD referrals there is currently no specifically commissioned services. The Department is aware that this has led to inconsistencies in provision between Trusts and inconsistent pathways and service gaps. The limited capacity available in Trusts in terms of meeting demand and the level of prevalence of child and adult ADHD is leading to individuals waiting longer than assessment and support than described in NICE guidelines.

Four of the five Trusts provide assessments to under 18’s. One of the Trusts focuses children’s assessments on the under 12’s and does not currently offer assessments to the 12-18 age group.

The Department of Health are committed to work closely and collaboratively with Health and Social Care Trusts to develop innovative, cost effective, co-produced, quality, and evidenced based services that can meet NICE compliant pathways for ADHD diagnosis and support.

Department of Health officials are considering how a future ADHD service might be delivered to meet needs, recognising that the demand for ADHD diagnosis has risen in recent years. In line with the usual process for commissioning services, any decision to commission ADHD services in the future will be based on an assessment of the level of demand for services, and in the context of future budget availability.