ADHD Pathfinding
@adhdpathfinding.org.uk
Working towards a society where ADHD is understood, supported, and never a barrier to thriving
medium.com/adhd-pathfinding
medium.com/adhd-pathfinding
Weeknote 17 is out.
ADHD Taskforce Part 2 has landed. Good recommendations (waiting times, higher NHS priority) but no clear ownership and accountability.
Also this week:
- Working on visual map of ADHD landscape
- Updated vision board live
- First team fika happened today!
Read it here.
ADHD Taskforce Part 2 has landed. Good recommendations (waiting times, higher NHS priority) but no clear ownership and accountability.
Also this week:
- Working on visual map of ADHD landscape
- Updated vision board live
- First team fika happened today!
Read it here.
ADHD Pathfinding Weeknote #17
7 November 2025 — Picking up where the Taskforce ends
medium.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Weeknote 17 is out.
ADHD Taskforce Part 2 has landed. Good recommendations (waiting times, higher NHS priority) but no clear ownership and accountability.
Also this week:
- Working on visual map of ADHD landscape
- Updated vision board live
- First team fika happened today!
Read it here.
ADHD Taskforce Part 2 has landed. Good recommendations (waiting times, higher NHS priority) but no clear ownership and accountability.
Also this week:
- Working on visual map of ADHD landscape
- Updated vision board live
- First team fika happened today!
Read it here.
The ADHD Taskforce report is finally out.
We called what it needed to contain a month ago: national standards, fair shared care, real ownership.
First look: some movement, still too many gaps.
Reports don’t fix systems. Continuity does.
Read the report here www.england.nhs.uk/publication/...
We called what it needed to contain a month ago: national standards, fair shared care, real ownership.
First look: some movement, still too many gaps.
Reports don’t fix systems. Continuity does.
Read the report here www.england.nhs.uk/publication/...
NHS England » Report of the independent ADHD Taskforce
NHS England » Report of the independent ADHD Taskforce
www.england.nhs.uk
November 6, 2025 at 1:28 PM
The ADHD Taskforce report is finally out.
We called what it needed to contain a month ago: national standards, fair shared care, real ownership.
First look: some movement, still too many gaps.
Reports don’t fix systems. Continuity does.
Read the report here www.england.nhs.uk/publication/...
We called what it needed to contain a month ago: national standards, fair shared care, real ownership.
First look: some movement, still too many gaps.
Reports don’t fix systems. Continuity does.
Read the report here www.england.nhs.uk/publication/...
The ADHD Taskforce full report is expected to land today. We already covered what we expect to see in it and how we will benchmark.
The ADHD Taskforce promised its final report this summer.
Summer is over. No report. Every delay means more children waiting, adults cut off from treatment, families left managing bureaucracy instead of care.
We can’t wait. So we’ve drafted what’s missing.
Summer is over. No report. Every delay means more children waiting, adults cut off from treatment, families left managing bureaucracy instead of care.
We can’t wait. So we’ve drafted what’s missing.
ADHD Taskforce Report Part 2: Still Waiting
Summer has ended, but the final report still hasn’t appeared
medium.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:06 AM
The ADHD Taskforce full report is expected to land today. We already covered what we expect to see in it and how we will benchmark.
Reposted by ADHD Pathfinding
@adhdpathfinding.org.uk planning with @sianmurrayhuynh.bsky.social, our service owner!
November 4, 2025 at 3:46 PM
@adhdpathfinding.org.uk planning with @sianmurrayhuynh.bsky.social, our service owner!
The final barrier from our ADHD Awareness Month campaign: lack of national ownership, accountability, and strategy.
Without this, barriers stay stuck locally.
Our blog post explains why national ownership is the only way to change the system.
Read it here.
Without this, barriers stay stuck locally.
Our blog post explains why national ownership is the only way to change the system.
Read it here.
31 Days, 31 Barriers to ADHD Care
What ADHD Awareness Month taught us
medium.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:17 AM
The final barrier from our ADHD Awareness Month campaign: lack of national ownership, accountability, and strategy.
Without this, barriers stay stuck locally.
Our blog post explains why national ownership is the only way to change the system.
Read it here.
Without this, barriers stay stuck locally.
Our blog post explains why national ownership is the only way to change the system.
Read it here.
ADHD Awareness Month 2025 finished yesterday.
We shared one systemic barrier a day. That’s 31 barriers over 31 days showing how ADHD care in England is fragmented, and what needs to change.
We also published a post summarising what we learned and what’s next.
🧵 below are all 31 posts.
We shared one systemic barrier a day. That’s 31 barriers over 31 days showing how ADHD care in England is fragmented, and what needs to change.
We also published a post summarising what we learned and what’s next.
🧵 below are all 31 posts.
31 Days, 31 Barriers to ADHD Care
What ADHD Awareness Month taught us
medium.com
November 1, 2025 at 9:11 AM
ADHD Awareness Month 2025 finished yesterday.
We shared one systemic barrier a day. That’s 31 barriers over 31 days showing how ADHD care in England is fragmented, and what needs to change.
We also published a post summarising what we learned and what’s next.
🧵 below are all 31 posts.
We shared one systemic barrier a day. That’s 31 barriers over 31 days showing how ADHD care in England is fragmented, and what needs to change.
We also published a post summarising what we learned and what’s next.
🧵 below are all 31 posts.
Weeknote #16 is out.
We've wrapped up ADHD Awareness Month and published all 31 systemic barriers. The biggest? No national ownership or strategy for ADHD.
This week:
- Ellie's story on BBC News
- New connections including NHS Digital Prevention
- Community fika launching 7th Nov
Read it here.
We've wrapped up ADHD Awareness Month and published all 31 systemic barriers. The biggest? No national ownership or strategy for ADHD.
This week:
- Ellie's story on BBC News
- New connections including NHS Digital Prevention
- Community fika launching 7th Nov
Read it here.
ADHD Pathfinding Weeknote #16
31 October 2025 — Turning insight into impact
medium.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Weeknote #16 is out.
We've wrapped up ADHD Awareness Month and published all 31 systemic barriers. The biggest? No national ownership or strategy for ADHD.
This week:
- Ellie's story on BBC News
- New connections including NHS Digital Prevention
- Community fika launching 7th Nov
Read it here.
We've wrapped up ADHD Awareness Month and published all 31 systemic barriers. The biggest? No national ownership or strategy for ADHD.
This week:
- Ellie's story on BBC News
- New connections including NHS Digital Prevention
- Community fika launching 7th Nov
Read it here.
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
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
31 Days, 31 Barriers to ADHD Care
What ADHD Awareness Month taught us
medium.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:38 AM
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
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
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
October 30, 2025 at 8:22 AM
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
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
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
October 29, 2025 at 9:05 AM
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
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
We’ve published our WIP vision board.
It maps how we turn our vision into services that help people now by putting users, needs, and strategy onto a single page.
View it here: www.canva.com/design/DAG2g...
Does it resonate? Share your feedback here or on adhdpathfinding@googlegroups.com
It maps how we turn our vision into services that help people now by putting users, needs, and strategy onto a single page.
View it here: www.canva.com/design/DAG2g...
Does it resonate? Share your feedback here or on adhdpathfinding@googlegroups.com
October 28, 2025 at 10:14 AM
We’ve published our WIP vision board.
It maps how we turn our vision into services that help people now by putting users, needs, and strategy onto a single page.
View it here: www.canva.com/design/DAG2g...
Does it resonate? Share your feedback here or on adhdpathfinding@googlegroups.com
It maps how we turn our vision into services that help people now by putting users, needs, and strategy onto a single page.
View it here: www.canva.com/design/DAG2g...
Does it resonate? Share your feedback here or on adhdpathfinding@googlegroups.com
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
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
October 28, 2025 at 8:20 AM
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
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
These schemes look good on paper, but collapse in practice. Another postcode lottery in action.
📅 Part of ADHD Awareness Month. Day 27 of 31
October 27, 2025 at 8:21 AM
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
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
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
October 26, 2025 at 8:21 AM
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
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
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
October 25, 2025 at 7:45 AM
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
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
Reposted by ADHD Pathfinding
Not that long ago, I wasn’t sure digital was still the right place for me. Let’s face it, it’s hard! Banging your head up against the same brick wall can feel futile. But this work is such a privilege, and doing hard things is easy with the right conditions. Mojo is back, more of this please 🙌🏻
What a week! Another great weeknote from our comms/content lead @powlander.bsky.social.
@sianmurrayhuynh.bsky.social and I did a mind meld earlier this week (both Trek fans 🖖). The result? Look at this vision board. Users, needs, goals…
We have a service.
www.canva.com/design/DAG2g...
@sianmurrayhuynh.bsky.social and I did a mind meld earlier this week (both Trek fans 🖖). The result? Look at this vision board. Users, needs, goals…
We have a service.
www.canva.com/design/DAG2g...
October 24, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Not that long ago, I wasn’t sure digital was still the right place for me. Let’s face it, it’s hard! Banging your head up against the same brick wall can feel futile. But this work is such a privilege, and doing hard things is easy with the right conditions. Mojo is back, more of this please 🙌🏻
Weeknote 15 is live!
- @sianmurrayhuynh.bsky.social joins as Service Owner
- Ellie Smith-Barratt @braveandbrilliant.bsky.social on BBC Radio Cumbria
- Refining our vision and defining ADHD Pathfinding around a service to help navigate pathways
- @sianmurrayhuynh.bsky.social joins as Service Owner
- Ellie Smith-Barratt @braveandbrilliant.bsky.social on BBC Radio Cumbria
- Refining our vision and defining ADHD Pathfinding around a service to help navigate pathways
ADHD Pathfinding Weeknote #15
24 October 2025 — Discovery, direction and doing
medium.com
October 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Weeknote 15 is live!
- @sianmurrayhuynh.bsky.social joins as Service Owner
- Ellie Smith-Barratt @braveandbrilliant.bsky.social on BBC Radio Cumbria
- Refining our vision and defining ADHD Pathfinding around a service to help navigate pathways
- @sianmurrayhuynh.bsky.social joins as Service Owner
- Ellie Smith-Barratt @braveandbrilliant.bsky.social on BBC Radio Cumbria
- Refining our vision and defining ADHD Pathfinding around a service to help navigate pathways
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
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
October 24, 2025 at 7:38 AM
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
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
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
October 23, 2025 at 7:39 AM
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
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
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
October 22, 2025 at 7:43 AM
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
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
The result? Inconsistent practice, bottlenecks, and patients waiting months while systems debate semantics.
📅 Part of ADHD Awareness Month. Day 21 of 31
October 21, 2025 at 7:16 AM
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
The result? Inconsistent practice, bottlenecks, and patients waiting months while systems debate semantics.
📅 Part of ADHD Awareness Month. Day 21 of 31
Ellie Smith-Barratt will be on BBC Radio Cumbria at 11:40 today, talking ADHD awareness as an ambassador of ADHD UK.
Don’t miss it. Listen on the link.
Don’t miss it. Listen on the link.
BBC Radio Cumbria - Stephanie Finnon, 20/10/2025
Stories to make you smile, mid-morning updates and The Rewind at 1pm with Stephanie.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Ellie Smith-Barratt will be on BBC Radio Cumbria at 11:40 today, talking ADHD awareness as an ambassador of ADHD UK.
Don’t miss it. Listen on the link.
Don’t miss it. Listen on the link.
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
Fast isn’t always safe. Medication adjustments need time, not tick-boxes.
📅 Part of ADHD Awareness Month. Day 20 of 31
October 20, 2025 at 7:16 AM
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
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
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
October 19, 2025 at 7:20 AM
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
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
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
October 18, 2025 at 8:16 AM
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
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