Summary
Eight-week consultation will start on 23 April to design improved access to ADHD services for adults in GM.
An eight-week consultation on services for adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Greater Manchester is planned to start on 23 April.
Approval for consultation on the Adult ADHD Support Transformation Model was granted at a recent NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board (ICB) meeting.
The new model is designed to reduce waiting times, prioritise clinical need, and improve access to ADHD support services and aims to deliver a needs-led, equitable, and sustainable ADHD service across Greater Manchester.
Why the service is changing
Issues such as increasing demand, lengthy waiting times, inconsistent service access, inadequate triage, safety concerns, and inappropriate prescribing underscore the urgent need for a new model, specifically:
- Significant waiting times – demand for ADHD assessments has exceeded service capacity, with waiting lists unmanageable for patients, GPs and specialist services, and are likely to increase to over 25,000 people across GM without urgent pathway changes
- Unequal access – the current model operates on a ‘first come, first served’ basis that makes it difficult to prioritise individuals with clear clinical needs who need urgent help and are at risk of coming to harm, leading to inconsistent service provision
- Sustainability risks – rising costs from the right to choose directive and an outdated service model require urgent reform
What the new model will deliver
- Faster access and prioritisation– a new triage system will ensure individuals at highest clinical risk are seen sooner
- Equity across GM– all localities will adopt a consistent, needs-led pathway for ADHD assessment and support
- More than just medication– the new approach includes self-help tools, peer support, and non-medical interventions
- A sustainable future– by managing demand effectively, the new model will help protect NHS resources for those who need them most
The proposed model and two potential options for delivery, including a preferred option, will undergo an eight-week public consultation launching 23 April 2025.
The aim of the consultation is to:
- Gather feedback from individuals with lived experience, families, and professionals
- Ensure the proposed model meets the needs of GM’s diverse communities
- Refine implementation plans based on stakeholder insights
All stakeholders are encouraged to take part in the consultation, which will be widely promoted through community forums and focus groups, online surveys and public meetings, and clinical and professional stakeholder engagement.
More details will be made available soon on the NHS GM website.
Following consultation, the final model will be confirmed and rolled out later in 2025.
