The members of the independent Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) taskforce have been confirmed, along with the formation of two subgroups.

ADHD is defined by the World Health Organization as a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that has a direct negative impact on academic, occupational, or social functioning. More information on ADHD can be found on the nhs.uk website.

The taskforce, launched together with government, brings together those with lived experience, experts from the NHS, education, charity and justice sectors. The taskforce will try to gain a better understanding of the challenges affecting those with ADHD, including timely access to services and support. The experts in evidence will expand the taskforce’s range of academic expertise.

Professor Anita Thapar will chair the taskforce. She is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and a professor at the Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences at Cardiff University.

She is currently co-chair on the Welsh Government Neurodivergence Ministerial Advisory Group and on the Welsh Government Clinical Advisory Group for ADHD assessment and support. She is a member of the UK Embracing Complexity Neurodivergence Steering Group.

The members of the taskforce are:

• Prof Anita Thapar, Taskforce Chair
• Char Bailey, Expert by Experience
• Dr Lucy Clement, GP; Expert by Experience
• Tamsin Crook, Parent; Expert by Experience
• Dan Harris, Chair of Neurodiversity in Business; Expert by Experience
• Keith Fraser, Chair of Youth Justice Board; Expert by Experience
• Adrian James, Medical Director NHS England – Mental Health and Neurodiversity
• Dame Rachel de Souza, Children’s Commissioner for England
• Louise Ansari, CE of Healthwatch
• Thea Stein, CE of Nuffield Trust
• Jawad Choudhury, Expert by Experience, Youth Member
• To be appointed – member of Department for Education Neurodiversity Task and Finish Group

In addition to the taskforce itself, there will be two further subgroups; Experts by Experience and Experts in Evidence.

The Experts by Experience will focus on the lived experience of those with ADHD and their families to ensure their views are incorporated into the taskforce. The Experts in Evidence will expand the taskforce’s range of academic expertise.

NHS England’s ADHD Clinical Reference Group will provide additional clinical expertise and advice to the taskforce.

Professor Anita Thapar, Taskforce Chair, said: “I am delighted to announce the membership of the ADHD taskforce, who bring a broad range of expertise and experience.

“Extensive work has been carried out since the taskforce was announced to help ensure the group represents both the diversity of lived experience of those with ADHD and their families and experts from different sectors.

“We have created two further subgroups to draw on for specific expertise and have already held workshops with people with lived experience.  We look forward to sharing further updates in due course.”

Steve Russell, chief delivery officer said: “We are delighted that Anita has taken up the chair of this important taskforce and I would like to welcome the members and thank them for their expertise and support.

“We have begun vital work and the findings from the taskforce, and the two subgroups, will help us understand more about the issues impacting those with ADHD, the scale of the challenge and how treatment pathways can be improved.”

The taskforce will be working closely with the new Department for Education (DfE) Neurodivergence Task and Finish Group.