Only children referred by the Isle of Wight's Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), the Looked After Children team or the Youth Offending team will be able to access ADHD assessments on the NHS.

The decision is the latest blow for Island parents, in a long running saga which has seen huge delays and long waiting times.

Psicon and the ICB (which oversees health services across the Isle of Wight, Hampshire and Southampton) say they have sympathy for families caught up in the delays, but called it 'unavoidable.'

A long-awaited statement from Psicon, which oversees ADHD diagnoses on behalf of the Isle of Wight NHS Trust, said a decision to restrict new appointments to many will ensure those who are at the highest risk and requiring urgent care are seen in a timely manner.

Parents have been contacting the Isle of Wight County Press to express their frustration and disappointment.

How has this decision affected you and your family?

Psicon has been commissioned to provide ADHD diagnostic assessments and treatment for Isle of Wight children, aged 6 to18, since 2021. 

Sine then, it has taken over the care of more than 1000 children, who were previously treated by the Isle of Wight NHS Trust.   

It says it will continue to accept new referrals for children and young people with an existing ADHD diagnosis, however.

One mum told the County Press a private appointment, at the cost of more that £1,000 could be arranged within six weeks, while families who are reliant on the NHS are dealing with a wait of many years.

Psicon's MD, Dr Daniel Simmonds, said: "Whilst priority has been given to the safe management of children undergoing treatment with ADHD medication, diagnostic assessments have been taking place and our aim has always been to ensure waiting times are kept to a minimum.

"This was initially very successful and waiting times were reduced to less than six months but as the service has become more established, demand has grown dramatically.

"Despite maximising the resources available to us, this has resulted in an unavoidable increase in waiting times for diagnostic assessments."