ADHD digital test approved for NHS use in England and Wales

The NHS has been told it can start using a new digital test to speed up the diagnosis of ADHD in children and young people, which up to now could often take several years.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued draft guidance approving the use of the QbTest by psychiatrists and specialist children’s doctors. The computer-based test measures the three main characteristics of ADHD: inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity.

Clinicians can use the results alongside other information they have gathered to help them diagnose, or rule out, that a young person has the condition. NICE said the test could be used when diagnosing six- to 17-year-olds in England and Wales.

Experts welcomed the move, saying the QbTest would help doctors diagnose more people within six months of them first being assessed.

Dr Jessica Eccles, the chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ neurodevelopmental special interest group, said: “People who suspect they may have ADHD often have to wait months or even years for an assessment which can prevent them from accessing timely and effective care. Any new evidence-based tools should be used to reduce these unacceptable waiting times and improve the availability of support.”

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Source: The Guardian, 16 July 2024