{"id":55,"date":"2026-10-05T10:10:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T09:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/?page_id=55"},"modified":"2026-10-05T11:14:56","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T10:14:56","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/","title":{"rendered":"Disabled Employee Network (DEN)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-fsb-flexible-spacer fsb-flexible-spacer\"><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--lg\" style=\"margin-bottom:-50px\"><\/div><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--md\" style=\"margin-bottom:-50px\"><\/div><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--sm\" style=\"margin-bottom:-50px\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:center;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:center;}.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:1520px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:50px;padding-bottom:50px;min-height:700px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92{background-image:url('https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/10\/uniforms.jpg');background-size:cover;background-position:50% 15%;background-attachment:scroll;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.54;background:linear-gradient(24deg, #400000 34%, #ffffff 52%);mix-blend-mode:multiply;}.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 ,.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 h1,.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 h2,.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 h3,.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 h4,.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 h5,.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 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.kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:center;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:center;}.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:1150px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:30px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:30px;padding-left:0px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4{border-top-left-radius:10px;border-top-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-left-radius:10px;overflow:clip;isolation:isolate;}.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{border-top-left-radius:10px;border-top-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-left-radius:10px;}.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.00;background-color:#323031;mix-blend-mode:normal;}.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 ,.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 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.kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:30px;padding-right:30px;padding-bottom:30px;padding-left:30px;min-height:0px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;opacity:0.75;background:#323031;mix-blend-mode:multiply;}.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 alignfull kt-row-has-bg wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-layout-overlay kt-row-overlay-normal\"><\/div><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-middle\">\n<style>.kadence-column55_1642ff-04 > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column55_1642ff-04 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kadence-column55_1642ff-04 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column55_1642ff-04 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column55_1642ff-04 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column55_1642ff-04{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_1642ff-04{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_1642ff-04 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column55_1642ff-04 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column55_1642ff-04{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column55_1642ff-04{align-self:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_1642ff-04{align-self:auto;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_1642ff-04 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column55_1642ff-04 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column55_1642ff-04 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:0px;flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column55_1642ff-04{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_1642ff-04{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_1642ff-04 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column55_1642ff-04, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column55_1642ff-04:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column55_1642ff-04 inner-column-1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-a3702cf4 gb-headline-text\">Disabled Employee Network (DEN)<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-8c8dedd7 gb-headline-text\">The aim of the Disabled Employee Network (DEN) is to encourage contact, support and friendship among any member of staff that self identifies as having an impairment or disability, bringing together diverse staff from across&nbsp;NHS Lothian.<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-7f5acd1d\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-7f5acd1d\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:center;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:center;}.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:1150px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:30px;padding-right:50px;padding-bottom:30px;padding-left:50px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08{border-top-left-radius:10px;border-top-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-left-radius:10px;overflow:clip;isolation:isolate;}.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{border-top-left-radius:10px;border-top-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-left-radius:10px;}.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.00;background-color:#323031;mix-blend-mode:normal;}.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 ,.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 h1,.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 h2,.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 h3,.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 h4,.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 h5,.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 h6{color:#fff;}.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:100px;}.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:100%;}.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{fill:#ffffff!important;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:20px;padding-right:30px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:30px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:30px;padding-right:30px;padding-bottom:30px;padding-left:30px;min-height:0px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;opacity:0.00;background:#400000;mix-blend-mode:multiply;}.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 alignfull kt-row-has-bg wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-layout-overlay kt-row-overlay-normal\"><\/div><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-middle\">\n<style>.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column55_c3b679-8e{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column55_c3b679-8e{align-self:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e{align-self:auto;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:0px;flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column55_c3b679-8e{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column55_c3b679-8e:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column55_c3b679-8e inner-column-1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-fsb-flexible-spacer fsb-flexible-spacer\"><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--lg\" style=\"height:260px\"><\/div><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--md\" style=\"height:260px\"><\/div><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--sm\" style=\"height:300px\"><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-light-accent-grey-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 40%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><sup><sub><strong>NHS LOTHIAN | STAFF NETWORKS<\/strong><\/sub><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading colourtextbold\">Disabled Employee Network (DEN)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Around 40% of the workforce have some form of impairment \u2013 some lesser and others higher \u2013 which can impact on their working and personal lives.&nbsp;The social model of disability sees the person first and argues that the barriers people face, in combination with their impairments, are what disables them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"417\" src=\"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/03\/DEN-logo-transparent-1024x417.png\" alt=\"Disabled Employee Network logo\" class=\"wp-image-390\" style=\"width:458px;height:185px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/03\/DEN-logo-transparent-1024x417.png 1024w, https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/03\/DEN-logo-transparent-300x122.png 300w, https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/03\/DEN-logo-transparent-768x313.png 768w, https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/03\/DEN-logo-transparent-1536x626.png 1536w, https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/03\/DEN-logo-transparent-1520x619.png 1520w, https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/03\/DEN-logo-transparent.png 1870w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Disabled Employee Network (DEN) welcomes any member of NHS Lothian staff who identifies as disabled, neurodivergent, or with a long-term health condition. You don&#8217;t need a formal diagnosis, and you don&#8217;t need to disclose your condition to your line manager or to other DEN members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensadvice.org.uk\/law-and-courts\/discrimination\/check-if-youre-protected-from-discrimination\/what-counts-as-disability\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">What counts as disability<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The aim of DEN is to encourage contact, support and friendship among members of staff who self identify as having an impairment or disability, bringing together diverse staff from across&nbsp;NHS Lothian into an environment where issues of disability can be discussed in confidence and where advice and information can be sought.&nbsp;DEN will raise the profile of disability in NHS Lothian in a staff centred way.&nbsp;DEN will research best practice on workplace disability and will gather members&#8217; experiences to better inform NHS Lothian on how best practice can benefit organisational goals and foster good employee relations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left\">Meetings<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">All meetings take place in our <a href=\"https:\/\/teams.microsoft.com\/l\/team\/19%3AEaxYVc4JeqCB0U2dARP_7pSmVoT_-v53RUo60VYMSgU1%40thread.tacv2\/conversations?groupId=cc1cf773-8f9f-41f6-b688-5ad0b0ce0094&amp;tenantId=10efe0bd-a030-4bca-809c-b5e6745e499a\">Teams channel<\/a>.&nbsp;Contact us if you would&nbsp;like&nbsp;to receive the Teams invitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Next meeting:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our next meeting is&nbsp;<strong>Thursday 17 September<\/strong> at <strong>12.30pm<\/strong>. This is a change from our usual evening time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Future meetings:&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Thursday 22 October at 6pm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Monday 16 November at 12.30pm (NB: we&#8217;re trying a different day of the week!)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Thursday 10 December at 6pm<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/10\/uniform2.jpg\" alt=\"Member of NHS staff in mid-blue uniform\" class=\"wp-image-355 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/10\/uniform2.jpg 600w, https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/10\/uniform2-188x300.jpg 188w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-light-accent-grey-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center alignwide colourtextbold latest\">DEN Chairs Blog<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">ADHD Awareness Month 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">by Jack Hellberg, DEN co-chair<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The diagnosis of ADHD has been increasing in recent years. This fact has led to significant media and institutional attention, with strong debate on the causes and appropriate response to this. For example, is the increase in diagnoses due to more awareness or over-medicalisation of individual traits? Should healthcare professionals focus on diagnosis, or prioritise psychological and pharmacological interventions without a diagnosis? To see how we got here, it&#8217;s helpful to look at the recent past of ADHD assessment and diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There have actually been significant changes to the diagnostic criteria for ADHD in the past 10-15 years. In the UK, there are two benchmarks for psychiatric diagnosis which a professional might reference. One of these is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) 5, which was published in 2013 by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). This was to replace the DSM-IV, which was first published back in 1994 and had its last update in 2000. As one might expect, there are some big changes between the DSM-IV and the DSM-5 (by the way, that is the APA, not me, changing the numbering convention between the two) when it comes to ADHD criteria. For example, the DSM-IV is much more child-focused in its criteria, seeking evidence primarily from a school setting. \u201cAge of onset\u201d was also changed from seven to 12, with a slight reduction in symptom threshold for adults as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 11 is the other classification used for psychiatric diagnosis. The ICD-11 was published in 2018 to replace the ICD-10 from 1990. The ICD-11 moved ADHD from a \u201chyperkinetic disorder\u201d to a \u201cneurodevelopmental disorder\u201d and allowed for a more diverse set of presentations to still fall under diagnostic criteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As outlined above, diagnostic criteria for ADHD had a significant period without major updates (although other revisions of each manual were published during this period) up until the 2010s. During this period, ADHD assessment was biased towards children. This isn\u2019t to mention the cultural legacy of earlier ideas around ADHD. For much of its history, ADHD was seen as a \u201cchildhood disorder\u201d largely specific to boys. It wasn\u2019t until the later 20<sup>th<\/sup> century that adult and\/or female diagnosis gained broader recognition in healthcare. Today, evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates that ADHD is a lifelong, measurable neurodevelopmental difference impacting all genders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Given this, we can reasonably conclude that there is a cohort of people born prior to 2013 who did not previously meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD but now do. Furthermore, we would expect diagnostic rates in children to be higher in the past decade than previously due to a well-founded broadening in diagnostic criteria. But how much have they risen? According to research collated by the UK government, there isn\u2019t actually much evidence for a higher percentage of people with ADHD in the general population (3-5% of adults according to them), although data is admittedly difficult to come by. However, the service demand for ADHD assessment and the number of diagnoses issued has increased. According to UK primary care data, the number of diagnoses increased roughly 2-4 times for women post 2021. Diagnoses increased in men as well, although usually by less than double. In Scotland specifically, waiting lists for adult neurodevelopmental assessment have increased across most healthboards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So where does this leave us? Overall, there are legitimate reasons that we would be seeing an increased demand for ADHD diagnosis given changes in clinical understanding and access. This is especially true for women and AFAB people, who historically had the least access to assessment. This isn\u2019t to say that other factors aren\u2019t also increasing people\u2019s interest in ADHD assessment, whether that be for people who ordinarily would or would not meet diagnostic criteria. However, we are likely still in a transitional phase of ADHD recognition where public access and infrastructure are still catching up with advancements in clinical understandings. It remains to be seen if diagnostic rates will reduce as gender and other population discrepancies equalise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Bibliography:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adam, B. (2025). <em>Neurodevelopmental Pathways and Waiting Times in Scotland<\/em>. The Scottish Parliament. https:\/\/bprcdn.parliament.scot\/published\/2025\/6\/24\/6f2ae5ab-9a1b-4704-a102-ec570c763ccc\/SB%2025-25.pdf<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">American Psychiatric Association. (2013). <em>Highlights of Changes from DSM-IV-TR to DSM-5<\/em>. American Psychiatric Association. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychiatry.org\/File%20Library\/Psychiatrists\/Practice\/DSM\/APA_DSM_Changes_from_DSM-IV-TR_-to_DSM-5.pdf\">https:\/\/www.psychiatry.org\/File%20Library\/Psychiatrists\/Practice\/DSM\/APA_DSM_Changes_from_DSM-IV-TR_-to_DSM-5.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Department of Health and Social Care. (2026). Independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism: interim report. <em>GOV.UK<\/em>. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.13140\/RG.2.2.24367.39840<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Patryk Malejka. (2026, May 26). <em>ICD-10 vs ICD-11: diagnostic categories, chapters and key changes in the WHO classification<\/em>. ICD Diagnostica. <a href=\"https:\/\/icd-diagnostica.com\/en\/blog\/icd-10-diagnostic-categories\">https:\/\/icd-diagnostica.com\/en\/blog\/icd-10-diagnostic-categories<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Smith, M. (2024). Narrative Matters: When does the history of ADHD&nbsp;not begin? <em>Child and Adolescent Mental Health<\/em>, <em>29<\/em>(4), 385\u2013387. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/camh.12727<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tremmery, S., Buitelaar, J. K., Steyaert, J., Molenberghs, G., Feron, F. J. M., Kalff, A. C., Hurks, P. P. M., Hendriksen, J. G. M., Vles, J. S. H., &amp; Jolles, J. (2007). The use of health care services and psychotropic medication in a community sample of 9-year-old schoolchildren with ADHD. <em>European Child &amp; Adolescent Psychiatry<\/em>, <em>16<\/em>(5), 327\u2013336. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s00787-007-0604-5<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-cbcdc57d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/den-chairs-blog-archive\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Blog archive<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull fullstretch has-light-accent-plum-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-40eee20a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Contact Us<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Contact us to be added to the mailing list and receive the Teams&nbsp;link.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons downlink is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-cbcdc57d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"mailto:loth.disabilitynetwork@nhs.scot\">Email Disabled Employee Network<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-fsb-flexible-spacer fsb-flexible-spacer\"><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--lg\" style=\"margin-bottom:-190px\"><\/div><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--md\" style=\"margin-bottom:-190px\"><\/div><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--sm\" style=\"margin-bottom:-190px\"><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NHS LOTHIAN | STAFF NETWORKS Disabled Employee Network (DEN) Around 40% of the workforce have some form of impairment &ndash; some lesser and others higher &ndash; which can impact on<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/noorangewidewidth.php","meta":{"_searchwp_excluded":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"class_list":["post-55","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"stephenharris","author_link":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/author\/stephenharris\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":false,"rttpg_excerpt":"NHS LOTHIAN | STAFF NETWORKS Disabled Employee Network (DEN) Around 40% of the workforce have some form of impairment &ndash; some lesser and others higher &ndash; which can impact on","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/55","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55"}],"version-history":[{"count":50,"href":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/55\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":599,"href":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/55\/revisions\/599"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}