AN NHS Trust has stopped accepting referrals and carrying out ADHD assessments for adults in Worcestershire, blaming a lack of capacity.

The county’s ADHD service, which is run by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, stopped taking referrals on Thursday, August 1.

A letter sent to patients said it “does not have the capacity to manage the demand and a different approach is needed”.

In the letter, the trust said a growing awareness of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) had led to a “significant increase in demand for assessments” in Worcestershire “without the required commissioned services in place to meet this need”.

It says it is working with NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire to commission new providers and advises patients to contact their GP for support.

County councillor Dan Boatright-Greene, who has ADHD, said: “I completely understand the pressures the NHS is under but to stop referrals entirely for ADHD puts people at risk.

WORRIES: Dan Boatright-GreeneWORRIES: Dan Boatright-Greene said it will put people at risk  (Image: Dan Boatright)

“Data shows that those diagnosed with ADHD earn less than those without, ADHD is associated with an increased risk of death before the age of 46 and Adult ADHD is associated with a substantial economic burden, which undiagnosed can contribute to unemployment, productivity loss and pressures on health care services.

“The detrimental impact this decision will have on mental health services is also a concern.

“This is a short-sighted decision which will cause the NHS problems elsewhere. The whole system needs a rethink. That includes how we approach neurodiversity as a society.”

Lisa Ventura, from Worcester, was awarded an MBE last year partly for her work around neurodiversity.

She said: “The immediate concern for me is for those currently on the waiting list, some of whom may require urgent support.

“I know first-hand what living with ADHD is like without a diagnosis and without any support mechanisms in place.”

Mrs Ventura said she got her ADHD diagnosis last year after being referred for an assessment by the GP via the NHS’s Right to Choose Pathway with Psychiatry UK.

“I decided to seek a diagnosis for ADHD in the hope I could have some medication to help my symptoms and access some support for my condition,” she said.

“In the end, just getting a diagnosis of ADHD in addition to my autism diagnosis has explained so much for me and allowed me to make changes in my life to help me cope with my ADHD symptoms.

“This situation highlights a broader issue within the NHS regarding the allocation of resources and the provision of adequate mental health services.

“The significant rise in ADHD awareness and diagnoses necessitates a corresponding increase in support and infrastructure to ensure timely and effective care for all affected individuals.”

“The urgency of the situation calls for prompt and decisive action. Mental health is a critical component of overall wellbeing, and delays in assessment and treatment can have profound consequences on individuals’ lives.”

A spokesperson for Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust said: “In Worcestershire, all patients have been contacted and advised that the trust are no longer carrying out assessments, and that they will be contacted about arrangements to address the waiting list in the next few months.

“The Trust retains responsibility for all reviews currently ‘open’ to them until March 31, 2025.

“All new referrals from August 1, 2024 now come under Patient Choice (Right to Choose) which means that GPs can select an assessment from a number of providers. These providers are currently being accredited by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care Board.”