ADHD Platform Co-Design
A case study
Executive Summary
The demand for ADHD assessments has surged dramatically, with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHS GGC) experiencing a 1,000% increase in referrals between 2020 and 2023 and NHS Fife seeing a 500% rise from 2012 to 2022. This unprecedented growth has placed significant strain on Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs), leading to overwhelming backlogs, increased administrative burden, and long patient wait times.
To address this challenge, Red Star, in collaboration with NHS GGC, developed a digital-first ADHD platform aimed at transforming referral management, automating screening and assessments, and enhancing patient self-management. The system is being piloted with East Renfrewshire CMHT, where it is digitising existing backlogs and streamlining new referrals through patient-facing digital forms.
Background
The demand for ADHD assessments has surged dramatically, with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHS GGC) experiencing a 1,000% increase in referrals between 2020 and 2023, and NHS Fife seeing a 500% rise from 2012 to 2022. This surge has placed immense pressure on Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs), resulting in growing backlogs, administrative burdens, and delayed access to care.
To address these challenges, Red Star, in collaboration with NHS GGC, embarked on a project to develop a digital solution that streamlines the ADHD assessment pathway, reduces administrative workload, and enhances patient experience.
Objectives
The primary aim of the project was to create a digital-first ADHD service that:
Digitises the waiting list and referral process.
Automates administrative tasks to reduce staff workload.
Improves self-management support for patients awaiting assessment.
Provides real-time service insights to enhance efficiency and decision-making.
Methodology
Red Star applied its co-design innovation methodology, working closely with clinical experts to map the existing ADHD assessment pathway and identify pain points. Based on these insights, Red Star developed a customised digital platform with the following key features:
- Digitisation of patient referrals and waiting lists using AI to transcribe paper records.
- Automated screening at referral and on-demand to prioritise cases efficiently.
- A patient-facing self-help portal for individuals awaiting assessment or not meeting diagnostic criteria.
- Digital DIVA-V assessment forms to streamline clinical workflows.
- Real-time service monitoring and reporting to track performance and drive continuous improvement.
The system was piloted with East Renfrewshire CMHT, where it was used to digitise the backlog and manage new referrals via online patient-facing forms.
Results and Impact
Although the project is still in its pilot phase, early indications suggest that the Red Star ADHD Platform is significantly improving workflow efficiency by reducing administrative burdens and providing better visibility of waiting lists and service demand.
Key Benefits Identified:
Reduced administrative workload through automation and digitisation.
Faster identification of priority cases using AI-driven screening.
Improved patient experience with self-management resources.
Enhanced service oversight through real-time data reporting.
Next Steps
If the pilot proves successful, the team plans to scale this model into a comprehensive Neurodevelopmental pathway. This expansion would integrate additional digital tools to further streamline assessment, treatment, and monitoring of neurodevelopmental conditions beyond ADHD.
Conclusion
The Red Star ADHD Platform demonstrates the potential of digital innovation in addressing the ADHD backlog and improving access to care. By leveraging AI, automation, and patient-centred design, this project provides a sustainable, scalable solution for managing rising ADHD referrals in NHS Scotland.