Back to Contents with the rest of Europe where the average waiting time to receive a diagnosis is about 11 months and we can only assume the pandemic will have increased this average diagnosis time . Multiple clinic visits over this period result in significant costs to the NHS , estimated to be £ 23m .
A new way to test for ADHD
The Focus ADHD programme concentrates on transforming the assessment process of ADHD in children by introducing a proven test that measures the core components of ADHD : a patient ’ s attention , impulsivity , and motor activity all at the same time . These indicators are core symptoms of this condition and accurate measurement adds objectivity to support timely diagnosis .
The Focus ADHD programme uses an objective assessment tool ( QbTest ) as a supplement , rather than replacing conventional clinical examination and subjective assessments and reports . The objective assessment evaluates all three core components of ADHD and compares these to normal values from a sample of children without the condition .
An evaluation of the use of an objective assessment was commissioned by East Midlands AHSN in 2017 and this demonstrated a reduction of one appointment to make a diagnosis which helped to release valuable staff resource .
We have begun work to implement Focus ADHD with mental health trusts and community paediatric services . The outcomes that we are looking to achieve are to :
• Increase in the number of children and young people who have an objectives assessment as part of the clinical assessment
• Reduce the time for assessment and decision making ( from first referral to decision to diagnose / rule out )
• Reduce the number of outpatient appointments between referral and diagnosis
• Improve the patient experience and family satisfaction
• Improve clinician satisfaction and confidence in diagnosing or excluding ADHD
Uptake of the Focus ADHD programme across our region
Five sites are already using an objective assessment in our region including Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust , Sheffield Children ' s NHS Foundation Trust , Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust , Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust and South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust .
Since last September , four more sites went live including Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust and Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust . We are now working with these Trusts to increase the number of sites utilising the Focus ADHD programme and to increase the uptake of the QbTest across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Integrated Care System and Humber , Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership . Another site in Bassetlaw is due to go live soon . Between April 2020 and March 2021 , 1,123 tests were completed across all sites in Yorkshire and the Humber with 285 of these tests undertaken at the four new sites . Based on the East Midlands AHSN assessment this will have saved 1,123 appointments across the system .
9 Trusts that have adopted the programme
1,123 appointments saved across the region to date
Impact Report 2020-21 53