Derbyshire NHS Introduces Digital Platform to Help Tackle Rising Demand for ADHD and Autism Assessments

Key Takeaways

• beseen platform reduces assessment admin time by up to 30%
• Implemented across five NHS trusts since November 2025
• Improves waiting list validation, removing out‑of‑area referrals
• Supports adult and paediatric ADHD and autism pathways
• Integrates with existing NHS systems for seamless clinician access

Pulse Analysis

The NHS has seen a steep climb in referrals for ADHD and autism evaluations over the past decade, straining already stretched neurodevelopmental teams. Long waiting times not only delay diagnosis but also increase costs associated with repeated appointments and unnecessary investigations. In response, health systems are turning to digital health solutions that can automate routine tasks and provide real‑time visibility into patient pathways. Derbyshire Healthcare’s partnership with Psyomics exemplifies this shift, leveraging data‑driven tools to modernise a traditionally paper‑heavy process.

"beseen for Neurodiversity" captures information directly from patients, converts it into structured clinical reports, and runs automated validation checks to flag out‑of‑area or duplicate referrals. Early modelling predicts a 30 percent reduction in administrative workload, freeing clinicians to spend more time on diagnostic interviews and therapeutic planning. Since its November 2025 launch, five NHS trusts have deployed the platform, reporting smoother queue management and clearer communication of wait expectations to service users. The system’s modular design supports both adult and paediatric pathways, covering ADHD, autism and dual‑diagnosis assessments.

The platform’s integration with existing NHS electronic health records positions it as a scalable component of the wider digital agenda championed by Integrated Care Boards. By standardising data capture and enabling cross‑trust analytics, it creates a foundation for population‑level insights into neurodevelopmental service demand. As more regions adopt the tool, the NHS could achieve system‑wide efficiencies, lower per‑assessment costs, and improve patient satisfaction. Ultimately, such innovations signal a broader move toward patient‑centred, technology‑enabled care that could reshape how specialty services are delivered across the UK.