Support for adults with ADHD

Healthwatch York created a report in March 2017 on the experiences of services of people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

They attended meetings with Solution Orientated Adult ADHD Carers (SOAAC) and utilised their report, which gave detailed insight into the challenges faced by carers and family members of people with ADHD. Healthwatch York also held two focus groups with carers of people living with autism and / or ADHD, to understand their experiences. In addition to this, they also also held one to one meetings with a number of individuals with ADHD.

The work was done following a number of individuals asking questions about diagnosis and ongoing support for adults with ADHD and autism at a conference looking at mental health in York, as well as carers approaching Healthwatch York for support (particularly through SOAAC) and individuals living with ADHD approaching them looking for information and advice, and sharing their stories.

The report identifies a number of key issues, including:

- The fact there is no simple test to diagnose ADHD, meaning sometimes delayed or missed diagnosis.

- General misunderstanding of the condition among the public and some professionals, who may see it as 'bad' or 'irresponsible' behavior, leading to alienation of those with the condition.

- There are few specialist NHS services for adults with ADHD.

- A lack of consistent advice about good nutrition for people with ADHD.

Five recommendations were made in the report including:

- Commissioners and Providers commit to working together with people with ADHD to find a creative (if necessary) and sustainable solution to provide support services for adults with ADHD in the York area. This should include considering the needs of people with ADHD in newly emerging pathways around low level / community based support for people experiencing mental ill health.

- Consider the creation of a multi-agency task group to look at how a ‘system wide’ pathway to provide the efficient and effective pathways regarding support for people with ADHD and their carers can be developed.

- A patient/service user reference group should be established with links to the task group to embed co-production approaches and to develop peer support networks locally.