Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) service
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About the service
The service for adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a specialist service dedicated to supporting:
- Young people moving from children to adult services
- Adults previously diagnosed with ADHD requesting referral back to services
- Adults seeking a new diagnostic assessment
The team’s main base is in Wakefield, with additional community clinic sites in Kirklees and Barnsley.
Our team is made up of staff from a range of backgrounds, including medical, nursing, occupational therapy, psychology, social work and pharmacy.
We have established links with service user support networks, education, employment and housing services and we are able to signpost or refer individuals to appropriate community services.
Documents and leaflets
- Information on ADHD: patient information booklet
- Information on ADHD: patient information booklet (Urdu)
- ADHD: medicines to help the symptoms of ADHD booklet
- Occupational therapy: ADHD leaflet
- Service for adults with ADHD: a leaflet for referrers
- Pre-assessment information (questionnaire)
Service user feedback
We have evaluated the service user experience of people who use the Adult ADHD service in the transition from children to adult services. Read our report.
Why would someone choose the service?
We are a specialist community service that is accessible to local residents. We are friendly, approachable and our team always put the needs of service users, their family or carers first.
We meet, support and provide information to young people and their families during their transition from children to adult services.
The team have developed an ADHD star assessment (a way of tracking progress) in partnership with service users to improve our person-centred care planning.
In a recent service user survey, 100% of people said they felt listened to at their initial appointment with the Adult ADHD Service. A further 91% of people said they were confident that the Adult service can meet their needs.
Staff you may meet
- Administrative staff provide essential support to doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals. This can be in a variety of different settings, with administrators working as a receptionist in a clinic or a clerk on a ward. They may also be working closely with a consultant as a medical secretary.
- There are more than 60 different specialities that doctors work within the NHS. Each is unique but there are many characteristics which are common. Roles range from working in a hospital to being based in the community as a GP.
- Nurses who choose to specialise in the mental health branch of nursing work with GPs, psychiatrists, psychologists, and others, to help care for patients. Increasingly, care is given in the community, with mental health nurses visiting patients and their families at home, in residential centres, in prisons or in specialist clinics or units.
- Occupational therapy is the assessment and treatment of physical and psychiatric conditions using specific, purposeful activity to prevent disability and promote independent function in all aspects of daily life.
- Receptionists are the first link for many patients and visitors. They often work on their own or with one or two other receptionists, greeting patients as they arrive and check them in. They might also collect patient notes and ensure that these vital records go to the right healthcare professional. In a clinic, they may make appointments and arrange patient transport.
- Social workers help, support and protect people who are facing difficulties in their lives. They help people to take positive steps to overcome problems and improve their lives. This could involve assessing and reviewing a service user’s situation, building relationships with service users and their families and agreeing what practical support someone needs.
Why a professional should choose the service
The service for adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been established and provided by the Trust since April 2009. The service has a clear pathway and outcome measures in place.
We consistently perform well in our service user feedback questionnaires and use feedback to continually improve our service.
We are fully compliant with all National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance and provide an accessible service to our local communities.
Our team is unique in the country in terms of our makeup and we have started to attract national interest as a centre of excellence by clinicians, media and politicians.
Support offered
Following a confirmation of diagnosis our attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) team provide specialist assessment, treatment and support, such as:
- Information and education around ADHD
- Medication management
- Support to identify and achieve individual goals using the ADHD star assessment (a way to track progress)
- Psychological assessment and therapy
- Support to develop independent living skills
- Carer assessment, information and support
Interventions may be offered on an individual or group basis.
For adults accessing the service on an out of area basis, short-term support will be offered. If long-term support is needed this will normally mean an individual is referred back to their local services.
Outcomes
We aim to provide a smooth transition from children to adult services for all of our service users.
Our specialist diagnostic assessments of adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) allow us to identify any co-existing disorders and design individual treatment and support plans as appropriate.
This method has proven to be effective in reducing the symptoms associated with ADHD and as a result, we hope to see the physical and mental wellbeing of service users improve and see an increase in functional skills and independence.
We also hope to provide more choice for service users and strive to improve our services based on engagement with service users, their family and carers about their experiences.
Referrals accepted from:
Consultants, GPs
Referral criteria:
Our service is for adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who are aged 18 or above, who do not have an additional learning disability. Adults with a diagnosed learning disability and ADHD can receive support from local learning disability services.
Referrals can be made directly to the service on 01924 316492/6494 or via the Trust’s Single Point of Access team using the referral form below.
You can also download a PDF referral form or a Word doc version of the referral form.