Assessment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Increasing numbers of referrals of children with possible attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for psychiatric assessment are significantly adding to psychiatrists' workloads. In Forth Valley Primary Care NHS Trust the situation had reached a point where children with other mental health problems were having to wait longer for appointments. Two developments were implemented that aimed to ameliorate the problem by making better use of the skills of clinical nurse specialists and nurse therapists. Guidelines were drawn up for nurse assessment of children with suspected ADHD, and a dedicated active behaviour clinic was established to diagnose and review children with the condition. The developments have improved the services for children with ADHD and have given psychiatrists more time to spend with other client groups.