Today, the independent ADHD Taskforce has published its final report which aims to address challenges in ADHD care.
Responding to the report, Dr Ulrich Müller-Sedgwick, ADHD Champion at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said:
“The Report of the independent ADHD Taskforce, commissioned by NHS England, is the first of its kind to capture the immense scale of the challenges affecting people with ADHD and their loved ones. It provides a blueprint through which better care can be delivered to people of all ages, across sectors and with greater safeguards in place in England.
“There has been a profound increase in the number of people with ADHD struggling to access an accurate diagnosis and treatment in recent years. This often has serious consequences for their health, education, ability to work and wider society.
“While the report outlines challenges facing the whole of the UK, current models for delivering services differ across each nation, and therefore must be addressed through specific provisions in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies (Jersey, Isle of Man and Guernsey). The Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland is currently working with Scottish policymakers on a 10-point plan for change in its new report: Multi-system solutions for meeting the needs of autistic people and people with ADHD in Scotland.
“Priority must be given to addressing the shameful waiting lists that leave many people without vital support for years at a time. The introduction of waiting time standards that are on par with those for physical illnesses would be a crucial first step in addressing this.
“Services are extremely overstretched and will not be able to deliver change without a significant expansion of the workforce. Adjustments to NICE guidance have the potential to ensure a wider range of professionals can contribute to the care of people with ADHD.
“Recommendation four highlights the role that Royal Colleges have to play in training healthcare professionals and it is positive to see that consideration has been given to the role of GPs as well. RCPsych welcomes this call on Colleges to support upskilling and has previously developed ADHD and autism training for psychiatrists. We are ready to support efforts to increase the capacity of existing services further and advocate for quality and safety.
“We know that untreated ADHD has a significant impact on the economy and that investing in appropriate care and support can help ease pressure on the NHS while also keeping people in work. It is therefore vital that the appropriate funding is made available to implement the recommendations of the report in England. Progress must also be supported in other sectors such as education, employment and criminal justice.”
For further information, please contact:
- Email: press@rcpsych.ac.uk
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