Adults with ADHD left struggling to access treatment in NI

Adults living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Northern Ireland are raising serious concerns about the lack of publicly funded treatment options available to them. Unlike other regions of the UK, Northern Ireland does not have a formally commissioned adult ADHD pathway, forcing many to shoulder the financial burden of private care. One woman shared her experience, describing it as “wildly unfair and inhumane,” revealing that she and her husband spend approximately £4,000 annually on private psychiatric appointments, GP prescriptions, and medication related to their ADHD treatment.

Rebecca Bryson, who manages three businesses, covers these private treatment costs alongside her husband, Colum Coyle, who also has ADHD. Bryson emphasized the heavy financial weight this places on families, saying, “It’s a tonne of money that most people don’t have, and I’m in a position where we do have it because I work multiple jobs.” She contrasted the ADHD treatment situation with other serious medical conditions, stating, “If I had another medical condition like cancer or a broken bone, and I asked for medical treatment, they wouldn’t turn me away.” Bryson highlighted the absence of a clear diagnostic pathway for adults in Northern Ireland, noting that support essentially disappears after the age of 18.

The availability of ADHD services across the UK shows a patchwork of provision. In England, patients have a legal right to choose their service provider, especially if local waiting times are extensive. Scotland lacks a singular commissioned ADHD service, delegating responsibility to local statutory partners who design and commission services tailored to neurodevelopmental needs. Wales manages ADHD services through local health boards and is actively working to expand capacity and reduce waiting times through the Neurodiverse Improvement Programme. In contrast, Northern Ireland remains without a formal ADHD service, and health trusts are left to handle referrals within their existing, limited resources, leading to long delays.

Local healthcare professionals acknowledge the challenges faced by those seeking ADHD diagnoses and treatment. Dr. Allen McCullough, a GP with 35 years of experience, described the situation as an “evolving picture” and noted the frustrations GPs have when referring patients, due to the absence of available local services. Concerns about prescribing specialist medication without proper shared-care frameworks are also significant, especially when patients are evaluated by private providers whose qualifications and diagnoses are unclear to GPs. Meanwhile, individuals like 28-year-old Jordan Young recount difficulties accessing services, explaining that he had to travel to England for a diagnosis, supported by private health insurance provided by family.

Political representatives have also voiced their concerns. Alliance MLA Peter McReynolds criticized the Department of Health for neglecting adults with ADHD, asserting that they have been “completely forgotten about.” He has been campaigning for a commissioned adult ADHD service since 2024 and described progress as disappointing, despite meetings with multiple health ministers. McReynolds believes that establishing such a service would be transformational for people living with ADHD in Northern Ireland and might lead to financial savings in the long term.

Responding to these concerns, a spokesperson for the Department of Health acknowledged that health trusts currently manage referrals under significant resource constraints. They confirmed that demand for ADHD services continues to outpace available capacity, causing lengthy waiting times that drive individuals toward private diagnosis and treatment. While noting that efforts to better understand local needs have been made, the spokesperson emphasized that any future commissioning decisions must consider overall affordability within a health and social care system facing major financial pressures

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