An innovative computer test enabling a more effective diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has received national recognition at the 2018 Health Service Journal (HSJ) awards.

Shortlisted in the ‘Innovation in Mental Health’ category, QbTest is a diagnostic tool which measures attention, impulsivity and motor activity all at the same time – a core requirement for an accurate and timely diagnosis of ADHD. ‘QbTest’ is also the only CE marked and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) intervention.

EMAHSN has worked with international medical company Qbtech Ltd to address the need to improve patient experience, reduce time to diagnosis and achieve efficiency within ADHD care.

Over the last 10 years, there has been a six-fold increase in the prevalence and rate of medication prescriptions for ADHD in the UK. Assessment and diagnosis are based on subjective clinical observation, interviews and observer questionnaire reports. QbTest supports the diagnostic process for patients referred for assessment of possible ADHD and improves the current delay to diagnosis (18 months, the longest in the UK).

The project launched in January 2017 and is being used successfully in United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (Women and Children’s Services Directorate), Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (Children’s Health Services) and Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (Families, Young People and Children's Services).

Due to its pivotal success of reduction in clinical time and major savings to hospitals the project is now moving into its ‘adoption and spread’ phase to be rolled out in NHS sites across England.

Award winners will be announced at the ceremony taking place on 21 November at InterContinental O2 in London.

Find out more about the awards and other categories on the HSJ Awards website and learn more about QbTest demonstrating impact in its recent Atlas case study.