A schoolboy has been suspended seven times in six months while waiting for the results of an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) test carried out more than a year ago.

Kayne Pattenden, 12, started at The Hundred of Hoo Academy last September.

By that point mum Fiona, of Chapel Road, Isle of Grain, had spent nine months chasing the results of the QbTest he had sat at Medway Maritime Hospital in December 2017.

KMTV spoke to another family who are facing the same struggles

Without them Kayne cannot be diagnosed and an education, health and care plan (EHCP) cannot be drawn up, meaning he won’t benefit from any of the specialist care provided to children with the disorder, such as smaller classes.

Last July, Medway Community Healthcare (MCH) took over ADHD services and Mrs Pattenden was told to contact Snapdragons Centre, in Cliffe Road, Strood, with any further queries.

Since then the 35-year-old mum of four has called them repeatedly and last month, when the results still had not materialised, Kayne had to sit the test again, with Mrs Pattenden told his first results would be “out of date”.

Snapdragons promised him a follow up in two weeks but a month on he is still waiting.

“Kayne is in limbo and the school can’t push for anything without the results..." Fiona Pattenden

Mrs Pattenden said: “His education has really suffered and he’s been suspended because of his behaviour several times. He can’t focus, locks on to things people say and on some occasions has become physical with other pupils.

“Hundred of Hoo has been excellent but I’m getting absolutely nowhere with Snapdragons.

“Kayne is in limbo and the school can’t push for anything without the results.”

She said she had heard about problems with the transition of care between Medway Maritime and MCH, with rumours people’s information had been lost.

Now, 15 months since the test and 18 months since he was first seen by a paediatrician, Kayne has been moved to Gillingham Football Club’s smaller GFC school.

He’s still a Hundred of Hoo pupil but it was felt he’d benefit from the smaller class sizes GFC offers.

Mrs Pattenden said: “Every child has the right to a good education regardless of their needs. We have been waiting 18 months [from his initial appointment] so far. This isn’t fair on a young boy that struggles and thinks he’s different from others.”

MCH acknowledged the transition hadn’t been the smoothest. It said the delay in test results was down to the higher than expected number of case files it had to process.

“We will continue to work with Kayne and his family to discuss the outcome of the test and any appropriate care and support, as soon as possible...” Penny Smith

MCH’s lead for children’s services Penny Smith apologised for the situation and said: “We have been working to get through that backlog - employing additional staff and reducing waiting times for appointments from two years to 10 months. We plan to clear the majority of the backlog by autumn.

“When we inherited Kayne’s file, his test results were incomplete, meaning we needed to book a second test. Following this, a panel scored and reviewed the results to make a diagnosis, which will be discussed at an appointment with him and his family in the next month.

“We will continue to work with Kayne and his family to discuss the outcome of the test and any appropriate care and support, as soon as possible.”

Medway Maritime Hospital was approached for comment.

Kayne’s story comes as it was revealed some children in Kent who show signs of learning and communication disorders are waiting two years for a diagnosis.

This has halved since 2016 but is still seen as too long and is leaving them without crucial support and disability living allowances.