ADHD Services Halt New Referrals Amid Overload

A critical overload has forced an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) service to temporarily halt new referrals. The trust overseeing the service indicated that the current influx of referrals surpasses the original annual commission by a significant margin each month, rendering the situation unsustainable.

This measure is being implemented to safeguard existing patients by allowing the service to concentrate on those already under its care. For adults, the average wait time for an ADHD assessment has regrettably stretched to eight years, a statistic underscoring the severe strain on national healthcare resources.

The trust assures that patients currently on medication, those transitioning from child to adult services, and those already in the assessment pipeline will not be affected. The service aims to redesign its operations to better meet demand and plans to reopen for new referrals once stability and sustainability are achieved.