The last day of ADHD Awareness Month!

We’ve shared one systemic barrier a day and saved the biggest till last: A lack of national ownership, accountability and strategy for ADHD.

We’ve also published a post summarising the month’s findings.

📅 Part of ADHD Awareness Month. Day 31 of 31

Parents are often warned that ADHD meds are “controlled drugs” and “very strong.”

That framing breeds fear instead of understanding. These medications are safe and effective when properly prescribed but stigma still shapes care decisions.

📅 Part of ADHD Awareness Month. Day 30 of 31

NHS ADHD cost models assume daily dosing at the same level for years.

But many people use flexible or “as needed” dosing. That misunderstanding inflates budgets and limits access to treatment that fits real life.

📅 Part of ADHD Awareness Month. Day 29 of 31

The NHS doesn’t capture the real costs of untreated ADHD: from accidents to unemployment to mental health crises.

Without data, ADHD looks expensive to treat but cheap to ignore. In reality the opposite is true.

📅 Part of ADHD Awareness Month. Day 28 of 31

Some areas fund ADHD Locally Commissioned Services, but the budgets are so small they can’t train staff or sustain delivery.

These schemes look good on paper, but collapse in practice. Another postcode lottery in action.

📅 Part of ADHD Awareness Month. Day 27 of 31

ADHD is treated as a “specialist-only” condition.

GPs manage diabetes, asthma, depression. But not ADHD.
It’s one of the only long-term conditions left out of primary care.

📅 Part of ADHD Awareness Month. Day 26 of 31

Many GPs won’t accept Shared Care Agreements unless the prescriber is a psychiatrist, even when the clinician is a qualified specialist.

That means patients with valid NHS diagnoses are denied GP prescriptions and have to pay £100-150/month privately.

📅 Part of ADHD Awareness Month. Day 25 of 31

Most people don’t know moving house can void their Shared Care Agreement.

They find out only when their new GP refuses to prescribe, leaving them abruptly without medication or support.

It isn’t patient error, it’s system failure.

📅 Part of ADHD Awareness Month. Day 24 of 31

Moving house? Lose your Shared Care Agreement.

Across England, SCAs don’t transfer between NHS Trusts. Even stable patients have to start again and be reasessed, re-titrate, or go private to stay on medication. It’s disruptive, unsafe, and avoidable.

📅 Part of ADHD Awareness Month. Day 23 of 31

ADHD meds are often classed as “Amber” prescribing guidance. That makes shared care optional for GPs. Many say no.

It’s one reason why patients remain stuck between secondary care and Right to Choose providers, unable to get repeat prescriptions.

📅 Part of ADHD Awareness Month. Day 22 of 31

NICE says ADHD meds must be started by a “specialist” but doesn’t define who that is.

The result? Inconsistent practice, bottlenecks, and patients waiting months while systems debate semantics.

📅 Part of ADHD Awareness Month. Day 21 of 31

Some Right to Choose ADHD contracts incentivise speed: seven-week titration, minimal follow-up, quick discharge.

Fast isn’t always safe. Medication adjustments need time, not tick-boxes.

📅 Part of ADHD Awareness Month. Day 20 of 31

If ADHD meds aren’t suitable, there’s often nothing else offered. No coaching, no ND-specific therapy, no alternative plan.

Care ends where medication stops. That gap will only grow as people age and contraindications increase.

📅 Part of ADHD Awareness Month. Day 19 of 31

In some areas ICBs push clinicians to start adults on cheaper methylphenidate first, even when lisdexamfetamine may work better.

That’s not NICE guidance, it’s cost driven and can lead to longer titration, poorer outcomes, and frustration for patients.

📅 Part of ADHD Awareness Month. Day 18 of 31

Even after diagnosis, many can’t access ADHD medication.

GPs say they’ll prescribe, but local rules, unclear shared-care policies, or ICB restrictions block it.

On paper, access exists. In reality, people go without.

📅 Part of ADHD Awareness Month. Day 17 of 31

ADHD meds are treated like opioids. 28-day expiry. No repeats. No emergency refills.

Rules meant to prevent misuse often do the opposite: stable patients fall off medication, relapse, and end up back in crisis care.

📅 Part of ADHD Awareness Month. Day 16 of 31