Sheffield NHS service “game-changer” for adults coping with ADHD
Patients who may be waiting years for a diagnosis will now get help and support from the start
Changes to the way that Sheffield adults with ADHD get support while waiting as long as four years for a diagnosis have been described as a “game changer”.
NHS professionals told Sheffield City Council’s health scrutiny sub-committee (November 5) that the service must move from a ‘diagnosis-dependent’ one to a ‘needs-led plus diagnosis’ system.
This means that people can access help and support without having a diagnosis first.
An independent report to the NHS recommended that this model should be brought into services dealing with mental health conditions, ADHD and autism.
Councillors heard that 4,000 people locally opted to use a ‘right to choose’ service to get an ADHD diagnosis in 2025-26. This involves using private providers but the NHS foots the bill.
The number of people going down this route rose by 208 per cent from 2024-25.
Services cannot cope with demand, leaving people waiting 4.5 years to see a specialist, councillors heard.
Committee chair Councillor Ruth Milsom said ahead of the meeting: “These changes sound like a game changer.
“For anyone who starts on the journey to diagnosis, that point of assessment can become an unattainable focal point, leaving their life in something of a suspended animation for years.
“The independent review brings forward a really important change of culture, which is very necessary to help people access more help whilst waiting for diagnosis.
“At the same time, it doesn’t make sense to leave waiting times unaddressed.”
Coun John Wright was one of several committee members who outlined his own struggles and those of family members with getting a diagnosis.
He said: “It’s been a very challenging and anxiety-provoking experience.
“I think the model you’re proposing, if it works as indicated, will address a lot of the barriers and issues we’ve experienced as a family and lots of people across the city have experienced.”
Coun Wright stressed the need for early intervention and said that many people are good at masking their issues, so might not be coping as well as they say.
Coun Sophie Crossthorn welcomed the changes. She said she went private to get her ADHD diagnosis “out of desperation”, a route many people couldn’t go down.