TY - JOUR
AU - N. R. Rattu
AU - S. S. Hall
AU - C. L. Hall
AU - T. Murphy
AU - J. Kilgariff
AU - N. James
AU - E. McNally
AU - A. Jeayes
AU - K. Khan
AU - S. Rimmer
AU - L. Thomson
AU - M. J. Groom
A1 - 
AB - BACKGROUND: Timely access to diagnostic assessment and treatment is essential to improve function and mitigate the risk of poor long-term outcomes in children and young people (CYP) with tics. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore (i) how tic services for CYP in England are currently organised, including access to assessment and treatment and (ii) healthcare professionals' (HCPs) experiences of assessing and treating tics. METHODS: Two methodologies were used to examine tic service provision. First, two freedom of information (FOI) requests were sent to Integrated Care Boards (FOI1) and service providers (FOI2) to gather data on referral and assessment processes, and treatments offered. Second, a national survey of HCPs explored their experiences and training needs when assessing and treating tics. FINDINGS: FOI responses indicated that 12 of 62 services (19.4%), primarily located in the London area, offered a full pathway for the referral, assessment and treatment of tics in CYP.The national survey sample (n=184) included psychologists, paediatricians, neurologists and mental health nurses. Most described services as poorly structured and reported a need for additional resources and training in the assessment and treatment of tics. CONCLUSIONS: Inconsistent and underfunded tic service provision across England limits HCPs' ability to support CYP with tics effectively. There is an urgent need to develop clear service pathways offering both assessment and treatment, and to equip HCPs with sufficient training and resources to provide appropriate care. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Current tic service provision does not meet the healthcare needs of CYP in England. Without improvements, CYP are at increased risk of poorer long-term outcomes.
AD - Academic Unit of Mental Health & Clinical Neurosciences, University of Nottingham School of Medicine, Nottingham, UK.; Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Nottingham, UK.; School of Medicine, Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit, Nottingham, UK.; NIHR MindTech MedTech Health Research Centre, Institute of Mental Health, Nottingham, UK.; Royal Free Campus, Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health and Priment CTU, University College London, London, UK.; Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.; Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK.; Tourettes Action, Farnborough, UK.; Former NHS Healthcare Commissioner (retired), Merseyside, UK.; Academic Unit of Mental Health & Clinical Neurosciences, University of Nottingham School of Medicine, Nottingham, UK maddie.groom@nottingham.ac.uk.
AN - 40623862
BT - BMJ Ment Health
C5 - Healthcare Disparities; Education & Workforce
CP - 1
DA - Jul 7
DO - 10.1136/bmjment-2025-301599
DP - NLM
ET - 20250707
IS - 1
JF - BMJ Ment Health
LA - eng
N2 - BACKGROUND: Timely access to diagnostic assessment and treatment is essential to improve function and mitigate the risk of poor long-term outcomes in children and young people (CYP) with tics. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore (i) how tic services for CYP in England are currently organised, including access to assessment and treatment and (ii) healthcare professionals' (HCPs) experiences of assessing and treating tics. METHODS: Two methodologies were used to examine tic service provision. First, two freedom of information (FOI) requests were sent to Integrated Care Boards (FOI1) and service providers (FOI2) to gather data on referral and assessment processes, and treatments offered. Second, a national survey of HCPs explored their experiences and training needs when assessing and treating tics. FINDINGS: FOI responses indicated that 12 of 62 services (19.4%), primarily located in the London area, offered a full pathway for the referral, assessment and treatment of tics in CYP.The national survey sample (n=184) included psychologists, paediatricians, neurologists and mental health nurses. Most described services as poorly structured and reported a need for additional resources and training in the assessment and treatment of tics. CONCLUSIONS: Inconsistent and underfunded tic service provision across England limits HCPs' ability to support CYP with tics effectively. There is an urgent need to develop clear service pathways offering both assessment and treatment, and to equip HCPs with sufficient training and resources to provide appropriate care. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Current tic service provision does not meet the healthcare needs of CYP in England. Without improvements, CYP are at increased risk of poorer long-term outcomes.
PY - 2025
SN - 2755-9734
ST - ImproviNg Tic services in EnglaND: a multi-method study to explore existing healthcare service provision for children and young people with tics and Tourette syndrome
T1 - ImproviNg Tic services in EnglaND: a multi-method study to explore existing healthcare service provision for children and young people with tics and Tourette syndrome
T2 - BMJ Ment Health
TI - ImproviNg Tic services in EnglaND: a multi-method study to explore existing healthcare service provision for children and young people with tics and Tourette syndrome
U1 - Healthcare Disparities; Education & Workforce
U3 - 10.1136/bmjment-2025-301599
VL - 28
VO - 2755-9734
Y1 - 2025
ER -