Information received from Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora under the Official Information Act (OIA) showed initial appointments happened within four months at Lakes and Bay of Plenty.
It also showed hundreds of whānau were seeking help.
National Health Survey data showed about 2.9 to 4% of children aged 5-14 were diagnosed with ADHD, but the Ministry of Health said in March this figure may underrepresent the need.
ADHD New Zealand spokesman Darrin Bull told the Bay of Plenty Times the charity’s nationwide survey showed wait times across the public health system were six to nine months for a first specialist appointment.
Bull said the turnaround times for appointments in Lakes and the Bay of Plenty described in the OIA response were “a hell of a lot faster than most of New Zealand”.
Bull was sympathetic towards the health sector which remained under “huge pressure”.
“It’s a catch-22 because undiagnosed ADHD can create all sorts of problems for a person which can lead to significant mental health issues.
“The real secret is to get to a person with ADHD early, help them, diagnose them, treat them, before it spirals.”
He acknowledged the sector needed to focus on those “in urgent need”.
Demand for ADHD assessments, treatment rises ‘significantly’
A Health NZ spokeswoman acknowledged the impact waiting for publicly funded ADHD assessments and treatment had on people.
Wait times for specialist mental health services were “longer than we would like” due to factors including workforce shortages and “significantly” increased demand.
The spokeswoman said there were access thresholds and, with referrals, the severity of the condition and its impact on people’s lives were considered.
“The intention ... is for people to receive support earlier and, where possible, prevent people from reaching a point where they need specialist treatment and support.”
People needing urgent assessment or support, however, would be prioritised and seen urgently.
She said the agency aimed to improve New Zealand’s approach to mental health, so people – including those with neurodiverse conditions – could “stay well and have fair access to help that works for them”.
Waitlists in Lakes
Information from Health NZ on November 12 said first specialist assessments for children with suspected ADHD or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) were done by a paediatrician as an outpatient service at Health NZ Lakes.
It said 69 children were on the outpatient waitlist for “behavioural-type problems” and 101 children were awaiting neurodevelopment assessment.
Fifty-eight children were awaiting ASD assessment.
It said a first specialist assessment for children with suspected ADHD occurred within four months of referral.
Waitlists in Bay of Plenty
Health NZ said Child Health Integrated Response Pathway (Chirp) gathered information to ensure tamariki could be assessed “in the most appropriate service first time”.
The CHIRP team guides whānau with worries about child development, challenging behaviours, and possible neurodiversity such as autism and ADHD. A GP, school, or healthcare professional might refer a child to Chirp.
Chirp brought together experts from child development services, paediatrics department and child and adolescent mental health services and education. It reviewed the child’s needs and recommended support options.
Between January 2023 and mid-October last year, there were 558 referrals to Chirp.
The Bay of Plenty's Child Health Integrated Response Pathway (CHIRP) team bring together experts from child development services, paediatrics department and child and adolescent mental health services and education. Photo / Mead Norton
For those referred to Chirp, eight were ready for clinical discussion at the multi-service meeting where complex referrals were discussed. The average wait time for this meeting was between one and two months.
It said 48 were ready for clinical discussion who would then be forwarded to a final assessment with the appropriate service. The average wait time from receipt of all assessment information to this discussion was two months.
Bull said this would free up “tens of thousands of psychiatrist and paediatrician appointments” being used for renewals.
Pharmac would also fund lisdexamfetamine – a new stimulant medicine and ADHD treatment option, and is consulting on a proposal to improve access to stimulant medicines by enabling more doctors and nurse practitionersto diagnose and treat ADHD.
Megan Wilson is a health and general news reporter for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has been a journalist since 2021.
