ADHD Pathway Refusal

Summary

The requester asked why the Department of Health and Social Care blocked the Adult ADHD pathway, but the authority responded that it does not hold specific information on the refusal reasons, citing competing funding priorities.

Key Facts

• Manx Care does not currently have an Adult ADHD Pathway.
• A draft Business Case for the pathway was developed but declined by the DHSC.
• The 2025/26 Mandate prioritized maintaining existing pathways over investing in new ones due to competing funding priorities.
• The Department, Manx Care, and Public Health are continuing to work on preventative measures and the Thrive model.
• The previously mandated new programme for diabetic retinopathy will not be fully implemented during the 25/26 service year.

Data Disclosed

• 2024/25
• 25/26
• 28 May 2025
• 23 June 2025
• 4692438

Exemptions Cited

• Section 11(3)a of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information not held)

Original Request

Please can you supply information on why the DHSC has blocked the ADHD pathway for Adults. Unfortunately Manx Care doesn't currently have an Adult ADHD Pathway. The Management have put together a business case which has been sent in to the DHSC numerous times and declined each time. Regrettably the DHSC have to agree to allow this before we are even able to approach Treasury to request funds. As it stands currently, there is no information on when a pathway may be created.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Chief Officer: Paul Richardson Freedom of Information Team First Floor Belgravia House Circular Road Douglas IM1 1AE

Our ref: 4692438 23 June 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request received 28 May 2025, which states:

"Please can you supply information on why the DHSC has blocked the ADHD pathway for Adults.

Unfortunately Manx Care doesn't currently have an Adult ADHD Pathway. The Management have put together a business case which has been sent in to the DHSC numerous times and declined each time. Regrettably the DHSC have to agree to allow this before we are even able to approach Treasury to request funds.

As it stands currently, there is no information on when a pathway may be created."

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Department of Health and Social Care (the Department) is unable to provide the information that you have requested. This is in line with Section 11(3)a of the Act, as a practical refusal reason applies; namely we do not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under Section 15 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Duty to provide advice and assistance), the Department can provide a statement as part of its response to your information request;

‘In the 2024/25 Mandate to Manx Care, the Department set an objective for Manx Care to scope what would be required to establish a diagnosis pathway for adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Subsequently, Manx Care developed a ‘draft’ Business Case, detailing the associated financial costs required to resource the service. The Department included the costs as part of its annual financial plan which is developed with the totality of costs required to provide a comprehensive range of health and social care services in the following financial year. Due to competing funding priorities the 25/26 Mandate focused on maintaining existing pathways, rather than investing funding in new pathways.

The Department, Manx Care and Public Health are continuing to work collaboratively to understand where preventative measures can drive longer term efficiencies. Work to implement the Thrive model will be maintained and protected by Manx Care, as part of ensuring that all mental health services are cost-effective and meet the needs of the Island's population. Furthermore, the previously mandated new programme for diabetic retinopathy will not be fully implemented during the 25/26 service year but work is ongoing to understand the cost and benefit of all potential new programmes.’

Please quote the reference number 4692438 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.