A REVIEW has been launched into the prescription of ADHD medication to adults.
The Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel, led by Deputy Louise Doublet, said they hoped the review could lead to improved access to treatment.
The review was prompted by concerns about staffing issues and an increased level of demand that was putting the current system under strain.
Last month, it emerged that nearly 1,000 Islanders were awaiting assessment, including 817 adults and 140 young people moving from Children’s Services.
At the time, mental health director Andy Weir acknowledged that the “core issue” was a lack of capacity, with only one consultant psychiatrist and one junior doctor currently able to diagnose and prescribe ADHD medication to hundreds of patients.
Deputy Doublet explained that she wanted to look in detail at the service to see if there was anything the panel could recommend to support staff and to improve the level of care to patients.
She added: “Our current system is putting an inordinate pressure on the one consultant psychiatrist we have available in Jersey.
“The panel’s concern is that this isn’t only impacting staff, but also those who need regular ADHD care.”
The review will explore potential solutions, such as allowing GPs to handle routine prescribing after an initial assessment by the consultant psychiatrist, an approach Deputy Doublet said was common in other jurisdictions.
This change would require approval from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee and the Social Security Minister and is already being looked at by the Health Department.
In addition, the panel is aiming to evaluate any shortage of ADHD medication and review how this could be mitigated.
This comes after global shortages forced Health to issue monthly rather than six-weekly prescriptions earlier this year.
The Scrutiny Panel is calling for Islanders with ADHD to share their experiences as part of the review by email: j.hales@gov.je. They can also write to the panel at Morier House, Halkett Place, St Helier, JE1DD.
Deputy Doublet said she particularly wants to hear about the impact the prescription service is having on the lives of patients from all walks of life.
She added: “It is important to me to make Scrutiny accessible to all Islanders.
“If there is any specific way that people would like to get in touch, they can have a face-to-face meeting, a telephone call, or can send an email or a voice note.”
