Summary - What clinicians need to know
- The NHS England ADHD Taskforce has released its Interim Report on the state of ADHD care in England.
- The report calls out QbTest (by Qbtech) as a recommended digital tool for improving diagnostic accuracy and reducing waitlists.
- NICE NG87 guidelines are reinforced – QbTest remains an evidence-based, recommended aid for clinical assessment.
- NHS clinicians are being urged to modernize their pathways with digital tools from Qbtech.
- This is a clear signal: Leveraging QbTest as an enabler for digitalization will catapult services towards this goal. Qbtech is investing in tools to help further support patients and clinicians get to grips with the waitlist challenges.
What is the ADHD Taskforce?
Established and funded by NHS England, the Independent ADHD Taskforce is a group of 15-20 experts tasked with reviewing ADHD care across England for both children and adults. This interim report outlines current challenges and provides actionable recommendations for the NHS to address growing demand, reduce waitlists, and improve equity in care.
What does the report say?
The report highlights five major shifts in approach:
- Moving from diagnosis-led to needs-led care, allowing support earlier in the pathway
- Empowering GPs and nurse specialists with generalist-led models of care
- Digitizing services to improve efficiency, speed, and access
- Providing support for patients on long waiting lists
- Encouraging standardized data collection and evaluation
“Digitalization can speed up routine administrative tasks… and, where evidence-based, improve efficiencies (e.g. Quantified Behavior Test)”
- NHS ADHD Taskforce Interim Report, June 2025
Where does QbTest fit in?
QbTest is explicitly named in the report as an example of an evidence-based tool that supports:
- Faster diagnosis through objective data
- Task-shifting by enabling pre-assessment and triage
- Waitlist reduction by identifying high-risk patients earlier
- Administrative relief via automated reporting
In combination with the NICE NG87 guideline, which recommends QbTest to support ADHD diagnosis in individuals aged 6 to 17, this sends a strong, unified message to clinicians: QbTest is the trusted, standardized tool NHS services should be using.
What this means for NHS clinicians
If you're already using QbTest, you're ahead of the curve. This report validates what your teams are already doing: using technology to reduce bottlenecks, increase diagnostic confidence, and improve patient experience. We will introduce new technology to help you manage demand and capacity later this year. To find out more, get in touch.
If you're not yet using QbTest, the message is clear. The status quo is shifting fast, and digital tools are no longer a “nice to have.”
It has been a privilege to support the Taskforce as part of the Clinical Reference Group. Hope the recommendations will be implemented in full to transform the lives of Children and Young People
- Dr Venkat Reddy, Officer for Digital Health and Technology,
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Consultant Neurodevelopmental Pediatrician
Expert Perspective - Shaun Hopkins, Qbtech EU, on the NHS Taskforce Report
As Head of Professional Business for Qbtech in Europe, Shaun Hopkins works closely with clinicians and health systems, navigating capacity pressures and pathway reform. Here’s his take on the report and what it means moving forward:
In my role at Qbtech, I see the Interim Report of the Independent ADHD Taskforce as a vital milestone for the customers and patients we serve across England, but also much further, to all four corners of the UK and Europe.
The report shines a spotlight on the systemic gaps and delays in ADHD diagnosis and care, issues that our partners in healthcare face every day. It confirms a positive and clear direction of travel for NHS services, and one that Qbtech has long advocated for: adoption of digital tools, including QbTest, to equip clinicians and patients with better tools and information that can enable timely, equitable, and evidence-based assessments for individuals with ADHD.
What’s particularly important is the Taskforce’s call for improved access to accurate assessments and consistent national standards. For clinicians, this means a clear mandate to adopt tools that streamline diagnosis and reduce wait times, areas where objective, technology-driven solutions like Qbtech's can have a transformative impact. For patients and families, it’s a promise that their struggles are being heard at a national level, and that action is on the horizon.
Ultimately, this report gives momentum to the changes we’ve been working towards, and I am excited that this paves the way for faster adoption of the next wave of Qbtech innovations to help get to grips with the biggest challenges around capacity and making ADHD care more efficient, more precise, and a more positive experience for all.
How Qbtech can help
We work directly with NHS Trusts to:
- Implement QbTest into new or existing pathways
- Support task-sharing between clinicians and admin staff
- Provide training and governance for safe, compliant delivery
- Help you reduce assessment timelines and caseload pressure
If your service is looking to modernize, we’re here to help you get started quickly and confidently.
Frequently asked questions
Is QbTest endorsed by NHS England?
QbTest is mentioned by name in the ADHD Taskforce report as an example of a digital tool that improves efficiency and accuracy. It is also recommended by NICE NG87.
Can QbTest reduce ADHD wait times?
Yes. QbTest supports earlier triage, enables task-sharing, and helps rule out ADHD faster - all of which ease pressure on assessment services. See clinical research here.
How do I adopt QbTest in my NHS service?
Contact Shaun and the team, and we’ll support your implementation from day one–including training, governance, and workflow setup.
Ready to take action?
Whether you're looking to validate your current approach or want to accelerate digital transformation, we’re ready to support your service.