Important Update to Wiltshire NHS ADHD Service

February 25, 2016

The NHS Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group has now put an expanded explanation on their website as follows:

The contract for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) services in Wiltshire is held by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Trust (AWP). The current contract will come to an end at the end of March. We have negotiated a temporary ADHD contract with AWP to cover the period from 1 March 2016 until 31 August 2016. This extension will ensure that a large proportion of the current services can continue until we are able to review the whole contract, and a permanent two year contract can be agreed. The new contract will be in place by 1 September 2016. If we achieve this earlier you will, of course, be advised accordingly.

Until this time AWP will continue to provide an ongoing service for:

•Existing patients who have already been assessed and diagnosed
•Existing patients who require ongoing follow up and prescribing
•Patients already being cared for under the shared care process
•Urgent and/or prioritised new referrals as approved by the CCG Exceptions Panel

However, AWP will not be accepting new referrals unless identified as above.

Please note the PALS team at the CCG advise that they have requested this information is updated to confirm that it relates to the adult service as this is not clear.

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February 23, 2016

The Bristol Adult ADHD Support Group has received the following  update regarding the Wiltshire NHS ADHD service:

Wiltshire CCG are now pleased to advise that an extension of their contract with AWP has been agreed with effect from 1st March. This is designed to give both the CCG and AWP breathing space to agree a more permanent 2 year contract and negotiations for this are already underway.

During the period of the extended Wiltshire contract, all existing patients will be seen as they would have expected and no longer need to refer back to their GPs.

For the time being however, no new patients will be seen until current capacity issues have been resolved and these patients may wish to consult their GP again in the meantime. It is important to note that these arrangements apply ONLY to Wiltshire patients.

Therefore there will now be NO change if you live in Wiltshire and ARE already receiving treatment from the Wiltshire NHS ADHD service.

For the time being things are more difficult for adults living in Wiltshire who want to be assessed for ADHD. If you are in this situation, I suggest you go to your GP and politely but as clearly as possible state your reasons for wanting an assessment (written evidence is always helpful).

If you get turned down which seems likely at the moment, either ring or email the NHS Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group’s Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0300 123 2103 (live 9am – 5pm; answer phone outside of office hours) or WCCG.complaintsandpals@nhs.net and politely tell them you want to make a formal complaint. More information here

If you still cannot get an assessment, then ask your MP to write a letter on your behalf. Here’s a link to the Wiltshire MP’s

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February 13, 2016

From 1 April 2016, the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) service delivered in Wiltshire by AWP will be decommissioned. AWP have informed patients affected by this decision, and the Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have informed all their GPs.

Please note that this change affects the Wiltshire ADHD service only. It does NOT affect the Wiltshire Autism Diagnostic Service (WADS), the rest of AWP’s ADHD service, or any other service provided by AWP.

AWP has provided an ADHD service for adults living in Wiltshire, on behalf of Wiltshire CCG, since 2014. Over the last year, Wiltshire CCG and AWP have been reviewing the current ADHD service. AWP proposed a number of  new clinical service models that complied with NICE guidelines, however at this time a decision has been taken not to extend the contract beyond 31 March.

Anyone who has concerns about how this change will affect them can speak to the Wiltshire PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) . Contact details for Wiltshire PALS is available from Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

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As a reminder to those who make commissioning decisions under the Equality Act 2010, the definition of a disability is a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on someone’s ability to do normal daily activities.

The public sector equality duty (section 149 of the Equality Act) applies to public bodies and those carrying out public functions.  It supports good decision-making by ensuring public bodies consider how different people will be affected by their activities.  It also helps them to deliver policies and services which are efficient and effective, accessible to all, and which meet different people’s needs.

The equality duty requires public bodies to have due regard to the need to:

eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct prohibited by the Act;

advance equality of opportunity between people who are covered under the equality act and  people who are not;

foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.

Having due regard means consciously thinking about the three aims of the equality duty as part of the process of decision making, including the provision of a robust health and safety management system.