The adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder service is provided in Hatlon, Knowsley and Sefton. We can also signpost you onto other mental health services if you need any extra support.
Our team is made up of staff from a range of backgrounds, including medical, nursing and occupational therapy.
It serves patients transitioning to adult care from community paediatrics and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) as well as providing a comprehensive assessment and diagnostic service for adults referred by their GP.
We have fostered strong links locally with third sector organisations that offer additional support for families of patients with ADHD.
Referral can be made via a patient's GP and following a comprehensive initial assessment, a formulation is provided. Comorbid psychiatric issues are addressed by referral to the relevant Community Mental Health team (CMHT).
ADHD is a complex condition and as such we recognise the importance of the initial assessment being carried out by a medical professional. We are currently supported by two consultant psychiatrists and a speciality doctor.
Our service is for adults with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). We also support young people with ADHD who are moving from child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) into adult services.
We accept referrals for people who have already been diagnosed with ADHD, as well as people who think they may have ADHD but have not been formally diagnosed yet.
If you think you would benefit from a referral to our Adult ADHD Service, make an appointment to see your GP. Try to take with you as much detail about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life as possible.
When you see your GP, they may ask you about your symptoms, when these symptoms started, where the symptoms affect you (eg. at home or at work), if there have been any recent significant events in your life and if there is a history of ADHD in your family.
If they think we may be able to help, they will then be able to make a referral for you to our service.
Please note that due to very high demand for our service, there is likely to be a wait for your first assessment appointment with our team.
Your first appointment will be a screening assessment with a senior nurse practitioner. This appointment could take a couple of hours and we will ask you lots of questions about your symptoms and how they are affecting your daily life, including your work life, social life and relationships.
It can help if you bring a family member or friend who knows you well to your first appointment but it's up to you if you want to bring someone with you or not.
At the end of this appointment, we will usually be able to decide whether you have a diagnosis of ADHD or not. If we aren't able to reach a diagnosis, you may need to come back for a follow-up appointment.
As people with ADHD can often have other related mental health problems, our team works closely with other local mental health services such as our assessment teams, home treatment teams, recovery teams and the autistic spectrum disorder service. Depending on the needs of the individual, we can also signpost or refer patients to other services such as psychological therapies, substance misuse, housing and social services.
We also work closely with child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) to help ensure a smooth transition from children's services into adults' services.
Asperger's social hub (Liverpool)
The hub consists of activity focused social groups which are facilitated by the Liverpool Asperger's team and volunteers. One hour sessions are offered on Wednesdays to people who would like to build confidence and connect with other people who have a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome.
Allotment project
The allotment project in Walton is run by the Liverpool Asperger's team. This is to provide service users with the opportunity to maintain and grow their own produce as part of promoting health and wellbeing. This is facilitated by staff and the group meet once per week on Mondays.
The drop in
The drop in is a group of service users, carers and professionals who provide a service to help and support people with Asperger syndrome. It provides a warm and welcoming space for service users and carers to access services, participate in activities of interest, and find out more about what’s available in the community.
The drop in is at 1.30pm to 4pm on the last Friday in the month at the Quaker Meeting House, 22 School Lane, Liverpool, L1 2BE (at the back of Primark). For additional information, read here.
Social groups are organised by service users and volunteers at Maggie Mays and the Corn Market in Liverpool city centre. Please contact Liverpool Asperger’s Team for more information.