MORE than eight out of ten Island children with Attention Deficit Hyper-activity Disorder (ADHD) are prescribed stimulant drugs, such as Ritalin, to treat the problem, even though experts warn such drugs should not be used routinely.
There are currently 529 Island children diagnosed with ADHD and known to the paediatric service at St Mary’s Hospital — a disorder characterised by behavioural symptoms, including hyperactivity and a lack of concentration — 446 of whom receive medication.
But the true figures could be far higher, as it is estimated between three and five per cent of children suffer from ADHD, and one per cent from severe ADHD.
On the Island, this would equate to between 700 and 1,167 children, 233 of whom could have severe ADHD.
Historically, the Isle of Wight NHS Primary Care Trust (PCT) has a high prescribing rate for Ritalin and similar drugs.
In 2008, there were twice as many prescriptions as the national average.
There were 668 prescriptions for ADHD drugs between July and September this year, according to figures released by the NHS Information Centre. In the same period, the number of prescriptions issued by PCTs of a similar size ranged from 135 in North Somerset PCT to 1,777 in Great Yarmouth and Waveney PCT.
Advisory body the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence said such drugs should only be prescribed to children with moderate ADHD as a second resort when parenting programmes and behavioural treatment has failed.
Reporter: emilyp@iwcpmail.co.uk