To ask the Minister of Health whether he has engaged with (i) service users; (ii) clinicians; and (iii) charities, to develop proposals for adult ADHD services.

There is currently no commissioned service for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Northern Ireland. ADHD provision has evolved across Trusts in response to population demand and expertise within HSC teams. There is some provision available across the Health and Social Care system, but there are inconsistencies and lengthy waiting lists across Trusts.

The Department of Health commissioned a needs assessment on ADHD in early February 2025, the findings of which will help inform options for a commissioned ADHD service across Trusts, subject to future budget availability.

The needs assessment, which covers both adults and children, will aim to determine the level of demand for a commissioned service, as well as recommendations for what such a service might look like, including proposed referral pathways and potential implementation and staffing costs. The needs assessment includes consideration of the impact of untreated ADHD on wider services.

A wide selection of stakeholders have contributed to the development of the needs assessment, including representatives from the Department of Health, HSC Trusts, clinicians, the Community and Voluntary sector and people with lived experience, including service users and carers, amongst others.

While the initial estimated completion date was end June 2025, due to the desire and demand for further stakeholder engagement, information gathering and analysis required, it is likely that the work will now be completed by November 2025. Given the importance of this work in informing future ADHD service provision, it is important that sufficient time is given to ensure a robust evidence base and proposals.