Shortage of Medicines for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Your local pharmacy, General Practitioner (GP) and ADHD service work hard to make sure you get the medicines you need, when you need them, but sometimes we experience difficulties in sourcing medicines. Unfortunately, there is a national shortage of many of the medicines we use in ADHD because of increased global demand and manufacturing problems. You can find further information for patients, families and carers on this page.
The Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) service provides specialist assessment, diagnosis and treatment, and on-going management and support for children and their families. Additionally, we offer an ADHD Parenting Group, providing help and advice to carers and families in supporting children with ADHD. We may also provide further assistance by liaising with other agencies when needed.
Waiting list for ADHD assessment
Unfortunately, we currently have an extensive waiting list and are unable to give a time frame for assessments. We are working through referrals in the order they have been received, and we will contact you by letter when we are ready to start the assessment.
We apologise for the delay and are doing everything we can to ensure children and young people are seen as soon as possible.
Please note, we are unable to accept telephone calls directly from families whilst on the assessment waiting list.
We have made short videos about our buildings so you know what it will be like when you come for your appointment.
There is also a Detailed Access Guide to let you know what access will be like when you visit. It looks at the route you will use getting in and what is available inside.
Other organisations that you may find useful include:
- ADHD and You
Helpful information for anyone with ADHD and their families.
- ADDISS
An information and support service for anyone with ADHD and their families.
- ADHD Foundation
Tel: 0151 541 9020
Offers support and advice to anyone with ADHD and their families.
- ADDitude
A website providing information, webinars, and resources for young people with ADHD, their families, and professionals.
- Witherslack Group
A useful website providing advice and webinars for families and professionals.
How to get referred
Referrals are accepted by email. Please read our referral criteria and complete all documents below, including the referral form.
Referral criteria
North Cumbria ADHD Children and Young People's service
Parent Information Request Pack
Referral form
If you would like a paper copy of the above, please contact the service to request this.
We do not accept self-referrals at the current time.
ADHD intervention and treatment
The Parent Factor in ADHD
The Parent Factor in ADHD is a Barnardo’s programme which has been written for parents of children aged up to 16 years who have a clinical diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The aims of the programme are to:
- Increase parents knowledge of ADHD and how it is treated
- Give parents insight into how it feels to be a child with ADHD
- Give parents advice on how to foster a positive relationship with their child
- Provide parents with strategies to support children to regulate their behaviour
Sessions
Session 1 – An overview of the parent Factor in ADHD and the opportunity to share stories.
Session 2 – Provides relevant and understandable information about ADHD.
Session 3 – Thinking about parenting styles, and the extra tasks required when parenting a child who has ADHD.
Session 4 – The importance of good communication, both listening and talking, and thinking about ways in which children learn to gain attention.
Session 5 – Self-esteem and how we can raise children’s self-esteem.
Session 6 – The importance of feelings and their impact on behaviour. How we can support children to regulate their emotions.
Session 7 – The education system and children’s rights within it. Sleep hygiene, social stories and sensory issues.
Session 8 –How we can support growing children with relationships (inside and outside the family), puberty and adolescence.
Download The Parent Factor in ADHD poster
Carers resources
We recognise the important role parents and carers play in their child’s recovery and understand that they will on occasion need support for themselves.
We also understand that you may be a young carer. You are classed as a young carer if you are under 18 and help to look after a relative with a disability, illness, mental health condition, or drug or alcohol problem. You may do extra jobs in and around the home, help out with other siblings or give emotional support to others.
We can advise you on how to access help and support in your caring role. Please speak to your worker or visit our Carers resources website page for more information.
Patient and Carer Involvement
We believe it is very important you, your carers and families have opportunity to design and improve our services. The Patient and Carer Involvement Service provides support to people who want to be involved in developing our services. This team provides a range of projects and activities that people can take part in. If you are interested in finding out more, please visit the Patient and Carer Involvement website pages
Your Voice
Feedback is very important to us. Fill out our Your Voice survey to anonymously have your say and comment on the ward or service you have experienced.