On behalf of HSE Clinical Design and Innovation and Mental Health Community Operations we are delighted to present and endorse the National Clinical Programme for ADHD in Adults Model of Care.
The Model of Care has been developed in close partnership with ADHD Ireland and the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland.
We welcome this Programme which addresses a significant clinical deficit: the lack of public services for adults with ADHD in Ireland. It will ensure the provision of skilled assessment and diagnosis together with multimodal treatment encompassing medication and psycho-social interventions. As a core principle, the Programme conceptualises ADHD as being an altered ability, rather than a disability, in line with the Recovery ethos.
Through its support of the National Clinical Programme for ADHD in Adults, the HSE has prioritised the provision of high quality, accessible and value of money Adult ADHD services in Ireland. In the absence of any pre-existing public service dedicated to Adult ADHD infrastructure or strategy, this Model of Care has been developed to guide the delivery of these aims.
The Model of Care is based on the Sláintecare principle of integrated care across mental health and primary care services, voluntary services and also third level education and employment services.
Moreover, it fulfils a key recommendation of Sharing the Vision (Action 53) which requires that the phased implementation and evaluation of appropriate service responses to support adults with ADHD be developed and resourced in line with the National Clinical Programme for Adults with ADHD.
We would like to express gratitude to all of the multidisciplinary team members of the HSE ADHD in Adults working group, the membership of which reflects Mental Health’s principles of an integrated team response guided by service user input.
Dr. Amir Niazi
- National Clinical Advisor
Dr. Colm Henry
- Chief Clinical Officer Head of Community Operations
Ms. Yvonne O’Neill
- Group Lead – Mental Health.