County Derry woman fighting for more than two years to get ADHD diagnosis
'Every single week they were bringing me in, to question my ability to do the job, basically threatening to fire me every week' - Joanne O’Neill
Adults suspected with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in the Western Trust are in a 'precarious
situation', it has been claimed.
The Western Trust have announced that they no longer accept new referrals from GPs for diagnosis and treatment.
“The provision of diagnostic assessment and treatment of ADHD within adult services in Western Trust is currently
not commissioned,” said a spokesperson for the Western Health and Social Care Trust.
“Despite this there has been a significant growth in referrals from GPs for new diagnosis and treatment of adults.
This has been particularly evident in the last five years.
“The Trust has tried to this manage this additional workload within existing resources, however, this has become
increasingly challenging and can no longer be sustained.”
Joanne O’Neill, from Coleraine, has been waiting for two and a half years for an appointment and her ADHD
diagnosis.
She said it has had a heavy toll on her work life and personal life.
Joanne's therapist asked her to get an ADHD diagnosis after he noticed her overconsumption of caffeine.
“I couldn't really function without coffee,” said Joanne.
“I was having maybe two to three cups of coffee within the first two hours of the morning and then having up to
three or four cans of Monster in the afternoon. I still didn't feel awake at all.”
Joanne then asked for additional support from her workplace. They found her an appointment to get diagnosed
through the private health care they were providing.
“After I made the company aware that I needed support for ADHD and getting an assessment, they questioned my
ability to do my job very quickly, and put a lot of pressure on me anytime I made mistakes,” said Joanne.
“Every single week they were bringing me in, to question my ability to do the job, basically threatening to fire me
every week.
“It was getting to the point where I became very suicidal because I had been the main breadwinner of my
household.
“I was going home and crying every single night of the week
“It went on for three months.”
After Joanne left her job for another one, her appointment was cancelled. She could not benefit from their private
health care anymore.
“Then I found a different job where I could work from home,” said Joanne.
“It is great, but they can't put anything in place for me for ADHD without an actual diagnosis but at least I'm at
home where I've got minimal distractions.”
Joanne even struggled to get her name down on the waiting list for an assessment.
“I've been fighting for the last two and a bit years to even get on the waitlist,” said Joanne.
“One of the problems with the health system is that if diagnosed through a private clinic, medication or doctor
appointments will need to be paid from your own pocket.”
“My GP said we wouldn't recognise anything done with any private authority. We won’t give you any medication,
you'll have to pay for everything entirely yourself. That will be on you. “We won't do a prescription for any of the
medication that would be needed or any follow-ups, you will have to sort that all yourself.”
Sarah Salters, CEO of ADDNI, said that a private appointment could cost up to £1,000 just to see a doctor.
“Waiting times are several years. Therefore adults are left with no option but to seek a private diagnosis. Many of
the private clinics are now closed," said Sarah.
“It is not an ideal situation that we have here, far from ideal.
“Some of them are being asked to pay for absolutely everything, to pay for medications, which then means that they
have to go for regular checkups and they have to pay for that too.
“They have to pay for that first initial assessment and the diagnostic assessment for the report to the doctor. All of
those things have to be paid for and they are extremely expensive.
“GPs will normally take on the responsibility of a patient's care following diagnosis from a Consultant, however,
adults receiving a private diagnosis of ADHD are experiencing their Gps declining to adhere to shared care protocol
leaving them without treatment.”
Joanne thought about going to Scotland, England or Wales to get a diagnosis. However, if medication is prescribed,
she would need to go back for follow-up appointments.
“This is a very difficult situation for those adults who are often not in the position to continue to pay for their
treatment or medication,” said Sarah Salters.
ADD-NI is encouraging people to go speak with their local MLA to bring light to the problem.
After hearing Joanne’s story, East Derry MLA Claire Sudgen has called for a functioning government and funding
to deal with the problem.
“Northern Ireland as a whole needs a dedicated service for this,” said the MLA.
“We need a functioning government to step into make decisions to help those adults suspected of having ADHD.
We also need a realistic budget to help people who will suffer needlessly in their lives because of this decision.”
The Western Trust spokesperson added that “adult patients who are currently on a treatment pathway” will continue
and that they “will engage with the development of a sustainable model should a decision be made”.