'My ADHD diagnosis was a massive turning point'

"It was more the understanding of what was going on my whole life," said Charlie Herd on what getting an ADHD diagnosis meant to her.

"Learning about it and all the characteristics... and that major void that I had with myself was a major lightbulb moment," said the 27-year-old.

She was in prison in Jersey when a prison officer, who was supporting her, suggested she might have ADHD and she was later formally assessed and diagnosed.

Ms Herd said: "Getting the diagnosis helped for me because me and my family and my support network realised that medication was right for me."

She said: "It's also a journey within itself because it does alter your personality and it takes a long time to adapt to and find the right one, the right dosage."

Jersey's ADHD team gets about 32 monthly referrals. Staff can assess up to 20 at a time, so those who cannot be seen join a waiting list which is growing steadily.

The current wait time is four years and there are 914 people waiting to be seen.

All medication prescribing is done by two professionals who are also responsible for the assessments and managing the waiting list.

"The number of people being prescribed for currently are about 300 people a month," says Andy Weir, the director of Mental Health, Social Care and Community Services.

He said they had offered a post to a nurse specialist, which, if they accepted, would increase the service's prescribing capacity.

However, critics say more support and facilities should be available for patients and those waiting.

ADHD Jersey has criticised Health Minister Tom Binet's decision not to set up a support hub for islanders who are waiting for an assessment and diagnosis.

Rachel Kelly, from the group, said the plan was for dedicated staff to support people on the waiting list who might otherwise "feel abandoned or hopeless".

She said: "This is about building self-esteem, fostering resilience, and challenging the stigma associated with ADHD.

"We also offer training for employers and employees to create more inclusive and supportive workplaces which helps overall... productivity and morale.

"By not investing in these critical services, we risk leaving many people without the comprehensive care and support they require during a crucial time."

Binet said he would be contacting ADHD Jersey to arrange a meeting with them.

The head of the government scrutiny panel which challenges the Health Department's decisions said she would also be asking Binet to explain his decision.

Deputy Louise Doublet said: "I'll be asking the minister to further clarify whether this is something that could be considered in the future.

"I think that the community have been very clear that they would like a hub or a centre that services could be based around, and I think that's reasonable, given the numbers of islanders who are being diagnosed with this condition."

To tackle the ADHD waiting list, the Health Department is considering a shared care model where repeat prescriptions are issued by GPs rather than ADHD specialists.

Work to reduce waiting lists will help, but, with a global shortage of medication, some issues are beyond the island's control.

Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to [email protected].