MSPs have rallied behind calls for the Scottish government to “urgently” work with the NHS and local authorities to strengthen the way both children and adults can access diagnosis and support for ADHD and autism as demand for services continues to increase at an “alarming level”.

A motion lodged by the Scottish Liberal Democrats to recognise the ‘scale and urgency of unmet need’ in mental health and neurodevelopmental support has been welcomed by the mental wellbeing minister.

The motion, which was supported by MSPs earlier this week emphasises the ‘profound distress and disruption’ this causes for individuals and families who are left without timely diagnosis.

While recognising the sharp rise in demand for assessment and treatment for both children and adults following the pandemic, it also highlights the impact of medicines shortages on services and patients.

It calls on the Scottish government to work ‘urgently’ with NHS health boards and local authorities to improve access to assessments and care, and to collect and publish data to better understand the demand and capacity for neurodevelopmental services.

Addressing parliament, Mental Wellbeing and Social Care Minister Maree Todd committed to convene a cross-party summit on neurodevelopmental support needs, emphasising the importance of a “range of partners working together” moving forward.

She told MSPs during a debate on the motion she recognises the need to improve neurodevelopmental support, saying that the government are working to better understand and meet the increasing need:

“I’d like to begin by acknowledging the increase in both children and adults seeking neurodevelopmental support and assessment is creating challenges for services right across Scotland.

“Figures on the number of people seeking a diagnosis are not currently nationally reported or published and we’re working with health boards and local authorities to improve our understanding of how many people are seeking support and how this data can be used to deliver improvements.

“A diagnosis can be important to individuals’ health and wellbeing but I must stress, a diagnosis is not required to access support.”

New pathways for ADHD and autism

MSPs have also called for the expansion of adult neurodevelopmental pathways and stepped care models particularly for autism and ADHD.

This follows recommendations from practitioner-researcher partnership the National Autism Implementation Team and the Royal College of Psychiatrists Scotland.

This includes a suggestion to set up regional neurodevelopmental hubs across Scotland to increase capacity and reduce waiting times.

The Royal College says in its proposals that each hub should be staffed with specialist teams, and could offer a mix of in-person and virtual services for around 8,000 people seeking autism and ADHD diagnosis and support each year.

Policy lead at the Royal College, Dr Jim Crabb, welcomed the motion, saying Scotland needs a “national wake-up call” to deliver for patients and the mental health workforce:

“The demand for support for people with ADHD and autism has soared and without a dedicated service, we’re now at breaking point.

“This is leading to a mental health crisis which includes unsustainable waiting times, delayed care for patients and an overburdened mental health sector.

“We’re calling for a public health campaign and digital self-help resources to raise awareness, so individuals feel empowered and make informed choices – even without a formal diagnosis.

“This is about fairness, dignity and making sure no one is left behind – but it’s also about protecting our mental health workforce as demand for services continues to increase at an alarming level.

“We need a national wake-up call because without urgent action, the services our patients rely on could collapse, harming both patients and clinicians.”

Ms Todd said a range of work is already underway to improve support and workforce training will also be key to improving services and meeting demand.

The minister told MSPs Scottish government and COSLA are reviewing the implementation of Scotland’s current standards for neurodevelopmental conditions, providing an “opportunity to reflect on learning and progress” which she said will inform improvements across health boards and local authorities,

A focus will also be on understanding variation in the way GPs support people with a private ADHD diagnosis - including with ‘shared care agreements’ which enables GPs to take responsibility for prescribing and monitoring.

Ms Todd told parliament these decisions remain at the discretion of GPs, but the government is requesting information from health boards about local protocols and services.

Read more: Stressful childhood linked to ill health; Scotland prioritises neuro-inclusion, says government; ADHD linked to childhood tantrums; Edinburgh’s global neurodiversity meeting; Psychiatrists in ‘disbelief’ over cut funding; Breastfeeding: A collective responsibility; Austerity policy harm to newborns laid bare

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