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RACGP calls for fast-tracked ADHD reform
Ahead of a mass walk-out of NSW psychiatrists, the RACGP says it is now more important than ever for GPs to be granted ADHD prescribing powers.
The Federal Government previously noted that current policy may place ‘unnecessary restrictions’ on GPs prescribing for ADHD in its Senate inquiry response.
It is more urgent than ever before for GPs to be allowed to initiate and prescribe attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications, with a psychiatrist shortfall on the horizon.
That is according to the RACGP, which is demanding the reform be prioritised amid the mass walk-out of 200 New South Wales Health psychiatrists.
With these potential resignations to take place next week, leading to a halving of the number of state public hospital psychiatrists, the college is warning this will lead to unprecedented pressure on GPs.
In response, the RACGP has called on the State Government to prioritise changes in widening the scope of practice for GPs to treat people with ADHD.
RACGP NSW&ACT Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman called for the State Government to work with the Federal Government to fast-track reforms that could allow GPs to prescribe ADHD medications.
‘GPs can help improve access and reduce costs for these patients, and in doing so ease pressure on our stretched health system,’ she said.
‘GPs should be able to initiate and prescribe medications for people living with ADHD and manage their care.
‘The New South Wales workforce crisis makes these changes even more urgent.’
Dr Hoffman said the current system, where GPs can only get approval to prescribe stimulant medications under specific conditions, is worsening the significant barriers people in the state already face in accessing ADHD care.
GPs can only apply for this if they are working in rural or remote communities, or if they are practising predominantly in paediatrics.
‘We have solutions. Allowing GPs to give more support to people living with ADHD will not only help these patients, it will help ease pressure on our psychiatrist colleagues,’ Dr Hoffman said.
The RACGP has long been calling for a nationally consistent approach for ADHD prescribing that helps adults and children with ADHD access appropriate and early support from their GP.
The barrier has been a consistent pain point for GPs, with doctors telling newsGP the restrictions are ‘an absolute nightmare’.
In December, the Federal Government backed calls for the development of uniform and nationally consistent ADHD prescribing rules.
‘The Australian Government supports this recommendation and is aware of the national
inconsistency in prescribing arrangements for some ADHD medications between jurisdictions,
and the complexity this creates for those with ADHD,’ it said.
‘The Government is committed to pursuing greater consistency across all jurisdictions and will commit to raising this issue through a Health Ministers’ Meeting for its consideration.’
But in the meantime, Dr Hoffman said patients often ‘wait months and pay hundreds of dollars for psychiatrists to confirm their diagnosis and get scripts that could be easily and safely prescribed by their GP’.
‘Now the situation is even worse,’ she said.
The mass resignation comes after ongoing pay disputes were unable to be resolved.
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ADHD attention deficit hyperactivity disorder mental health New South Wales psychiatry
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