'I'm devastated that I can't get an ADHD referral'

People who believe they have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have said they feel ''absolutely devastated'' after finding out they cannot get a referral for assessment on the NHS.

The Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust temporarily stopped accepting new referrals for adults over the age of 25 last month, in an effort to cut waiting lists for children.

Harry Myers, 32, from Coventry, said he had been to his GP to try and get a diagnosis, however he was told he was three weeks too late.

The NHS trust said it was committed to bringing back adult referrals "as soon as possible".

Mr Myers, who believes having a diagnosis would help him get access to the right support and medication, said: "I was absolutely devastated.

''I think it would have a massive impact on the quality of my life."

He added that he often found it difficult to concentrate and struggled to stay focused at work.

"It has affected my life for as long as I can remember," he said.

''ADHD assessments matter, not just for children. I understand that it's going to take priority, but if we got missed as a child, why should we not have the opportunity to get that diagnosis now," Mr Myers said.

Dr Imogen Staveley, chief medical officer for Coventry & Warwickshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), said the suspension had been put in place as the diagnosis pathway was "not working for anyone" and children were the "most disadvantaged".

"We've got about 7,500 children on the waiting list and some of those children are waiting up to 10 years to receive a diagnosis," Dr Staveley added.

She said long waiting times had resulted from how demand for diagnoses had "really increased" over the years and services "just hadn't kept up".

Dr Staveley added that the temporary policy would enable the ICB to work with partners, such as local councils, to "redesign the pathway".

Kerry Anne Hartnett thought living with undiagnosed ADHD had affected her whole life.

"Time management is a massive problem for me," the 40-year-old from Coventry said, "I can't be on time for anything and I've almost had disciplinary action taken against me at work in the past because of it."

Ms Hartnett recently visited her GP to try and get a diagnosis but was told the suspension meant it was not possible.

She added that she also struggled with everyday tasks and even going to a supermarket could be overwhelming.

"I find it so stressful and that's been a feature throughout my life. I've ended up having to have a lot of time off work, sick, due to stress."

A 32-year-old woman, who did not want to be identified, told the BBC the suspension led to her mental health "deteriorating even further".

She was diagnosed with ADHD in South Africa, before she moved to the UK, but said she was now unable to get a referral to access the medication she needed.

''It was so devastating, I burst into tears when I found out,'' said the woman who lives in Warwickshire.

She understood that the children's waiting lists needed to be tackled, but said she felt the decision sent a message to adults that ''we don't matter''.

Dr Staveley said support was available outside of a diagnosis and advised those who were waiting to speak to their GP.

The chief medical officer said the ICB "did not have a time frame" for when the services would resume, however the pause was "temporary" and "meant to be short-lived".

''We are committed to introducing this new pathway as soon as possible," she added.

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