The Scottish ADHD Coalition thanks Scottish Parliament’s Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee for their recently published report into neurodivergence in Scotland. We wish to place on record the broad agreement that we have with the results of their enquiry.
It was particularly refreshing to read that concerns about provision appear to transcend party politics and suggest that we have reached a crisis-point requiring a radical re-think on how services are both structured and funded.
It is now time for real action and we endorse the Committee’s views that the next Scottish Government must prioritise an authentic reform of mental health services across the country.
We note in particular the committee’s conclusion that a wide discrepancy is now evident between the stated aims of public policy and the current delivery of services across the country, and the impact that shortfalls in the assessment, diagnostic and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders are having on individuals and their families, and on the public purse.
It is now imperative that the findings of this report are translated into the strategic change necessary to reduce inconsistencies and gaps in provision and that meaningful progress is achieved through co-production with third sector organisations such as those who contributed to this enquiry.
The Scottish ADHD Coalition brings together voluntary organisations providing support to adults and children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and their parents, carers and families. You can sign up to our mailing list here, read our FAQs, or find your nearest support group.