2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:53 pm on 11 January 2022.

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Photo of Natasha Asghar Natasha Asghar Conservative 2:53, 11 January 2022

Minister, may I ask for a statement from the health Minister specifically on adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or autism assessments by the NHS in Wales? I'm genuinely grateful to the Deputy Minister for mental health for her prompt written response when asked about ADHD provisions, and I'm sincerely pleased to hear about the plans for a new time framework to improve children's early access to the right support, as well as a collaboration across Government to improve support for people with ADHD. However, sadly, many adults are being undiagnosed in their childhood, and we know that a person's personal circumstances can bring about profound change within their mental health, and having spoken to adults who have ADHD, it tends to get more serious after the loss of a job, a breakdown in a relationship or a change in circumstance. A petition was lodged with the Senedd in October that said there were currently no adult ADHD or autism assessments on the NHS in Wales. It's a fact that many sufferers go undiagnosed until adulthood because the diagnostic criteria is based on research that focuses on traits exhibited by young boys. The absence of an ADHD or autism diagnosis often results in significant mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety and social anxiety. This petition was rejected, claiming it was already covered by the Government's integrated autism service in Wales. The NHS 111 Wales website states with regard to such services, and I quote,

'Who you're referred to depends on your age and what's available in your local area.'

However, a constituent has contacted me to complain that his doctor's surgery cannot do a referral for his wife as there is no such service available. Leading psychologists have warned that gender bias is leaving many women with ADHD undiagnosed, and it's estimated that tens of thousands of women in the UK are unaware that they have the condition and are not receiving the help that they need. Please can we have a statement from the health Minister addressing these concerns and on how she will deliver adequate adult ADHD services in Wales now? Thank you so much.