East Midlands Academic Health Science Network – Transforming ADHD care across the East Midlands

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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a common neurodevelopmental disorder which affects five per cent of school age children. It’s treatable, and early intervention significantly reduces the chance of the condition affecting an individual’s personal, academic and familial functioning and reduces the risk of mental health problems. But in the UK, there is an average of 18 months between referral and formal diagnosis.

To try to address this delay, East Midlands EMAHSN worked with Qbtech Ltd to introduce QbTest within seven community paediatric and CAMHS services. This computer-based test combines attention measurements with an activity analysis based on a motion tracking system. The results indicate whether an individual has ADHD.

Following the introduction of the tool, delays in diagnosis were reduced by an average of 145 days. Some 85 per cent of patients said they found the QbTest helpful and its results useful in understanding their symptoms.

Up to 39 per cent cost savings were reported, and a release of 20-33 per cent of clinicians’ time. Most patients require one less clinic visit for a diagnostic decision on whether or not they have ADHD.

East Midlands AHSN and Qbtech are now working on an adoption and spread project across England. This includes an example business case, case study video, social media campaign and an implementation toolkit.

Read a detailed case study about this project at HSJ Solutions

Finalists

  • Barts Health Trust – Improving psychological wellbeing in children and young people with chronic physical illness
  • Healthy London Partnership and South London and Maudsley Foundation Trust – Implementation of the s136 pan-London new model of care
  • Hertfordshire Partnership University FT – May Contain Nuts Theatre Group
  • Humber Teaching FT – SMASH (Social Mediation and Self-Help)
  • King’s College Hospital FT – 3 Dimensions for Long Term Conditions
  • North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group – Tendring Mental Health Hub
  • Northamptonshire Healthcare FT – Body worn cameras on mental health wards: a feasibility study
  • Northumbria Healthcare FT: Developing a health psychology and mental health service pathway and midwifery led birth reflection service
  • Principia Partners in Health multispecialty community provider – Successfully managing persistent medically unexplained symptoms in primary care
  • Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry and Plymouth Hospitals Trust: Supporting mental health teams in screening for dementia – ACEmobile

 

Winners of 2018 HSJ Awards revealed