Report: Understanding people’s experiences of accessing support for ADHD
The experiences of people in Gloucestershire largely reflect the findings from Healthwatch England's national research, carried out earlier this year.
To improve access and provide more consistent support to those waiting for assessment, we have made a number of recommendations to the NHS.
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Before my assessment and diagnosis, I was suicidal. Getting a diagnosis helped me to not only understand but also accept myself.
Key messages
Despite requesting a Right to Choose pathway, choice of provider in Gloucestershire is very limited. People are still being told that the waiting list is between two and five years long, and some people are put off seeing their GP to get a referral because of concerns about being overwhelmed and the long wait times involved in getting an assessment.
People with ADHD or suspected ADHD who had spoken to their employers about support felt that their employer could not meet their needs in a meaningful way.
Recommendations
- Move ADHD assessments to the community. This includes providing NHS teams with the training and resources they need to deliver care closer to people's homes.
- Provide better and more consistent support to people waiting for ADHD assessments, including keeping people updated with clear and accessible communication from the NHS. Experts by Experience should be included in developing this support.
- Provide easily accessible information about statutory and VCSE services that can offer counselling, peer support and life coaching.
- Explore options to increase the number of providers that can carry out assessments under a Right to Choose pathway.
- Improve employers’ support for those with ADHD through raising awareness and training, and proactive offers of reasonable adjustments.
If you would like to share your feedback about support for ADHD, please complete our online feedback form.
