Nearly 300 NSW GPs can now diagnose ADHD and start medication, with another 300 entering training as the state seeks to cut specialist waits and treatment costs.
New South Wales is moving to make attention deficit hyperactivity disorder care more available in general practice, with nearly 300 GPs now trained to diagnose the condition and begin medication treatment, according to NSW Health. The change is intended to cut the delays and costs that have long pushed many families towards specialist clinics, where waits can be lengthy and fees high.
For parents, that shift could matter quickly. NSW Health said the training allows GPs to assess patients, make a diagnosis and prescribe psychostimulant medication where appropriate. Another 300 doctors are due to start training next month, extending a programme the government says is designed to bring care closer to home and reduce out-of-pocket expenses for families.
The reform follows earlier changes in the state. Last year, GPs began gaining the ability to prescribe continuing ADHD medicines, part of a broader effort to ease access to treatment. NSW also set aside funding in June for up to 2,500 free GP consultations for ADHD, in a move the government said could save patients as much as $1,500 a year in costs. Health officials have framed the overhaul as especially important for regional and rural communities, where travel to specialist appointments can add further strain.
Dr Rebekah Hoffman, the New South Wales and ACT chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practice, said the change would make a real difference for patients whose diagnosis has been delayed. “I’ve had patients that have … been able to work and return to work, where previously they’ve lost multiple jobs because they’ve not been able to engage appropriately,” Hoffman told AAP. “And so the delay of that happening now instead of happening in 12 months is quite literally life changing for some of my patients.” Health Minister Ryan Park said more doctors were preparing to join the scheme, and the state plans to publish an online list of ADHD-capable GPs next month.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
