The Department of Health has published a significant final report assessing the requirements for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) services in Northern Ireland.

The assessment, which addresses the needs of both children and adults, provides a blueprint for what a formally commissioned service could look like, including detailed staffing and implementation costs.

A key focus of the report is the prison population, acknowledging that ADHD prevalence rates among inmates are significantly higher than those found in the general public. The findings aim to create a structured approach to diagnosis and support that has previously been absent.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt welcomed the publication as a step toward evidence-based planning: "This report provides an evidence-based assessment of need to inform future consideration of ADHD services in Northern Ireland. It is based on stakeholder engagement, analysis of current provision and learning from other jurisdictions, and is published in the interests of transparency." While the report outlines 19 specific recommendations for workforce planning and the creation of integrated ADHD pathways, the Minister cautioned that implementation is entirely dependent on financial resources. He noted that the health and social care sector is currently facing "significant funding constraints."

Minister Nesbitt highlighted the human cost of the current service gap: "I fully recognise the significant impact that the absence of a commissioned ADHD service, and the resulting delays in assessment and treatment, are having on individuals with ADHD and on their families, affecting wellbeing, education, employment and family life.

"The report, however, is clear that there are no cost neutral options for implementing a commissioned ADHD service. Any form of service would require either new investment or the reallocation of funding from other highly pressured areas."

The Department of Health is now reviewing the 19 recommendations to determine the most realistic next steps. The Minister reaffirmed his commitment to continued stakeholder engagement to ensure any future decisions are proportionate and focused on the best outcomes for those affected.

The report serves as a foundational document for longer-term planning, ensuring that future discussions regarding ADHD provision are grounded in both clinical evidence and the lived experiences of patients in Northern Ireland.