One of Jersey's leading ADHD support services and the head of a scrutiny panel which made recommendations for tackling Jersey's growing waiting list to get diagnosed with the condition, have given us their reactions to the Health Minister's rejection of an ADHD hub.

Scrutiny panel lead, Deputy Louise Doublet, wanted a dedicated, specialist ADHD hub and clinic to support those on the waiting list to be tested for the neurological condition (which is now up to 924 people as of January 2025) and give out medication to those diagnosed. 

Currently, only one specialist part-time consultant psychiatrist can diagnose islanders with ADHD and issue the drugs used to help those with the condition. Meanwhile, the waiting time for adults to get diagnosed around 3.5 years.

Health Minister Deputy Tom Binet

Health Minister Tom Binet, who accepted in full six out of the panel's ten recommendations, told Channel 103 last week that he would not move forward with the ADHD hub idea. 

He told us: "A hub is going to cost a hell of a lot more money in any event, and need more staff.

"We haven't got any more money and, at the end of the day, the drugs are in short supply. We haven't got the trained staff that we need and they aren't available."

READ MORE: No ADHD hub but one nurse hired to help with prescription lag

Rachel Tippet, Founder of ADHD Jersey, said she was confused by this response as her team of trained ADHD volunteer support staff said they would be happy to operate the proposed clinic:

"We offered to run the hub for them, we offered to train key workers to support everybody on the waiting list - we offered a really comprehensive package. For it to just be rejected like that, it was a complete shock to be honest - for the whole team.

"There is so much evidence about ADHD and how its affected the people the people, the sufferers that have it. With the waiting list and everything that's going on - I'm in shock to be honest. There's no care for people on the waiting list and there is no aftercare either."

Deputy Louise Doublet told us she believes not introducing the hub is a missed opportunity to support islanders: 

"The introduction of an ADHD hub or clinic is critical actually because there is a growing number of ADHD diagnoses and other related conditions.

"I think having a specialist hub is something that would really help islanders and would be a sensible ay to provide services for islanders."

The Health Minister's official response to recommendations for an ADHD hub

The scrutiny panel lead also said the Health Minister's official written response to the proposal 'requires further clarification' as it never addressed the ADHD hub. Channel 103 had to seek clarification on whether it had been rejected, before Deputy Binet confirmed in an interview that it had. 

Deputy Louise Doublet has responded: "The panel is going to be seeking further clarification on this, and some of the other recommendations within the report. It wasn't fully responded to by the Minister. 

"We do understand the financial constraints the department and the Minister are experiencing, but we are going to be seeking further details on any financial reasons for either establishing or not establishing a hub."

Scores of people commented on our story last week, on Channel 103's social media channels:

"Meanwhile patient cannot get the proper support they need why is this not a priority and why does it keep getting rejected. Patients have to spend thousands on a referral and then medication."

"I’m a year into the waiting list. Some of us are in real shell shock, dealing with lots of emotions. This isn’t good enough."

"It's deeply upsetting that it has come to this. If only the Health Minister could step into our shoes for a moment and truly understand what it's like to live with ADHD. Many of us are forced to mask our struggles daily, and all too often, we're unfairly labeled as lazy or unintelligent. The anxiety that builds up from constantly trying to keep up is overwhelming."

"Nowhere near good enough! "

Rachel Tippet has written an open letter to the Health Minister, strongly urging him to reconsider his decision:

"I would like to express my concern regarding your recent decision to decline the recommendation for a dedicated ADHD hub supporting non-prescription services, despite strong recommendations and requests from the people of Jersey for a dedicated ADHD hub, and the recommendations led by the Health and Social Services Scrutiny Panel. Initiatives of this nature are vital for the well-being and success of those affected by ADHD, and it is imperative that we continue to build upon our progress through the essential services we provide."

"Investing in ADHD Jersey is not merely an investment in an organisation; it is an investment in the people of Jersey and the future of our community. We are committed to working with you to achieve this shared goal."

A petition has been launched asking for the government to put the ADHD hub to be back on the agenda. It is expected to go live this afternoon. 

Deputy Louise Doublet

Despite voicing their disappointment at the rejected ADHD hub, the scrutiny panel did say it was happy to see six of their recommendations accepted, especially to continue exploring training GPs to prescribe ADHD medication. 

Only one GP service has currently been identified as 'interested' in taking part in a 'Shared Care Pathway' - which would relieve pressure from the one psychiatrist undertaking the workload. 

Nevertheless, Deputy Louise Doublet is content with the Minister focusing on GPs going forward: 

"The Minister is going to continue discussions around a shared care pathway. That is something that came through very strongly in the submissions for the panel - that islanders wanted to be able to access their ongoing medication through their GP."