Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees addresses National Healthwatch Conference on ADHD Support Challenges
Natasha Douglas, Manager at Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees, spoke to an audience of health and social care professionals from across the country about the barriers people face when seeking ADHD support and how local services can be improved.
“We are pleased to acknowledge the work currently underway nationally to look at how we can better support our communities and service users.
“The information gathered by Healthwatch, alongside contributions from others across the country, is being used to inform future approaches to ADHD care. The voluntary sector and the Local Authority in Stockton-on-Tees remain committed to ensuring the wellbeing of individuals who have shared their voices with us.”
Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees and other local Healthwatch conducted research on the challenges individuals across the Stockton borough face in accessing ADHD diagnoses and services. Parents at family hubs were reporting increasing problems with behaviours and unsure where to turn, as there was limited information and signposting.
This work was supported by Larissa Bennett, a Stockton-based Healthwatch Champion and ADHD Peer Support Group Lead, who shared her personal experiences of living with ADHD. Larissa’s insights were instrumental in shaping the report, which focuses on the lived experiences of people in Stockton-on-Tees seeking ADHD support.
The report highlighted key areas such as awareness of ADHD, referral pathways, and the ongoing challenges people face in securing timely diagnoses and effective support.
As part of the national conference, Larissa also participated in a video presentation, sharing her story and the daily struggles she faces living with ADHD, providing a powerful perspective on the need for change.
Larissa strongly feels that if the right support had been available earlier in her journey, her mental health difficulties may not have developed. She felt that early diagnosis would allow for the right support to be put into place at the appropriate stages, which in turn may prevent mental health problems, with a lot of people remaining undiagnosed.
“The lack of diagnosis can leave you feeling like there’s something wrong with you, like you don’t fit in. It’s essential that we create a more understanding and supportive environment for people with ADHD.
“Access to support and understanding should be a right, not a privilege.”
At the conference, Natasha Douglas was joined by leading experts in ADHD care, including Dr. Ulrich Muller-Sedgwick, Consultant Psychiatrist and ADHD Champion for the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Together, they discussed NHS initiatives to address ADHD challenges and how Healthwatch can help inform improvements across services.
Addressing the conference delegates, Keynote Speaker Baroness Merron, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care spoke out about the importance of healthcare services changing for the better, and how local Healthwatch play a pivotal role.
“Thank you for all the work you do to seek out, amplify and champion the experiences of those who use our health and care services.”
Louise Ansari, Chief Executive at Healthwatch England, discussed the impact local Healthwatch achieve, including providing vital advice and support to local communities and bringing pressing issues in healthcare to the forefront.
“I see day in day out the work you do in reducing local health inequalities. It fills me with enormous pride, it’s one of the most important things you do.”
Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees is urging those interested in ADHD services and support to read the full report: Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees ADHD Report which can also be downloaded below.
