East Midlands programme to improve ADHD diagnosis for children and young people selected for national adoption and spread
Our East Midlands ADHD programme (extended nationally from April 2020 as ‘Focus ADHD’) uses QbTest (Quantitative Behaviour Test), to measure attention, impulsivity and motor activity all at the same time to support ADHD diagnosis in children. Based on the impacts from our work in the East Midlands it was selected for national adoption and is now being spread by AHSNs across the country meaning even more children and health and care organisations will benefit from the innovation.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects around 5% of children and young people in the UK and can impact on personal, academic, family and social interaction. In the UK children can wait on average 18 months from their first appointment to receiving a formal ADHD diagnosis. Using QbTest indicators and accurate measurement adds objectivity to support faster diagnosis.
The programme originated in the East Midlands following a Mental Health Innovation Exchange. We supported a 12-month, real-world demonstrator project, where QbTest was deployed and evaluated in three East Midlands trusts. The evaluation found that using QbTest to supplement current clinical assessment processes reduced the time to diagnosis by approximately five months and removed one appointment needed to make the diagnosis. 94% of clinicians and 85% of patients found the tool to be helpful, showing how the programme can save time and money for the health and care system and improve the experience for children and their families.
