News

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published a Medical Innovation Briefing (MIB) highlighting the benefits of objective testing technology (QbTest) when used as part of a comprehensive ADHD assessment.

QbTest has been part of The AHSN Network’s Focus ADHD programme since 2020 to help improve diagnoses for ADHD in young people. Prior to this, the test was the focus of a Real World Evaluation study in 2017 in the East Midlands AHSN. The success of which, led to it being made a national programme and being rolled out across England.

In our region we provided tailored support to trusts wishing to implement the programme. This included supporting them in the development of business cases or helping to secure funding to pilot the QbTest. Since the implementation of the programme, we have continued the roll-out of the test, which is now available in all nine NHS trusts in our region and is offered in 18 sites. Recent figures looking at results since April 2022 show that more than 2,100 patients have benefited from a more accurate and timely diagnosis.

Mark Dines-Allen, who leads on this programme across Yorkshire and the Humber, commented: “It has been a real privilege to be able to support our NHS colleagues to integrate this programme within their services. Since we started working with trusts on this initiative in 2020, 4,892 more patients have been diagnosed with ADHD”.

Medical innovation briefings (MIB) are NICE advice, designed to support NHS and social care commissioners and staff who are considering using new medical devices and other medical or diagnostic technologies.

The team at NICE reviewed the East Midlands AHSN evidence base as well as wider research and spoke to national experts as well as Qbtech Ltd to compile their MIB.

Key findings include:

• Experts recognise QbTest as an addition to routine clinical assessment of ADHD
• The NICE evidence review and ADHD experts confirm that QbTest helps clinicians make accurate decisions, saving time and money
• NICE reports reduced ADHD waiting list achieved through the use of QbTest

Dr Venkat Reddy, Neurodevelopmental Paediatrician, National Clinical Advisor – Focus ADHD Programme, and Officer for Digital Health and Technology, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said, “This report reflects the efforts of both Qbtech and all involved in assessing this technology. All our experts agreed that QbTest’s benefits create more efficiency in the pathway to care.”

“Receiving praise from the NICE MIB report is a testament to the entire Qbtech team and the tangible benefits of our objective testing technology,” says Tony Doyle, Commercial Director, Qbtech. “When used in conjunction with other clinical measures, QbTest is the ‘gold standard’ to create a more effective and efficient diagnostic and treatment process. We are very grateful for the partnership we have had since 2020 with The AHSN Network and we hope this report encourages further adoption of objective testing in clinical practice in the UK, the USA and across our territories globally.”

If you would like to find out more about this programme, email info@yhahsn.com