ADHD reforms ‘past due’

The RACGP says GPs’ scope in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) must be expanded nationwide to ensure all patients have equitable access to care.
 
On Monday, the college ramped up its advocacy for national consistency in ADHD diagnosis and treatment, saying GPs in all states and territories must be allowed to practice to their full scope.
 
The call comes as some states are progressing reforms, while others have promised to act in the future.
 
The Western Australian Government is currently rolling out changes to allow GPs to diagnose ADHD and prescribe stimulant medication, while last month, the New South Wales Government announced similar changes will go live next year.
 
Meanwhile, GPs have been managing children with ADHD in Queensland for eight years.
 
RACGP NSW&ACT Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman is now calling on the Australian Capital Territory Government to enact its 2024 election commitment and allow GPs to diagnose ADHD.
 
‘Many GPs in both the ACT and NSW regularly practise across the border, and as we’ve said, patients will benefit from a nationally consistent approach,’ she said.
 
‘It’ll be sensible for an ACT model to recognise this, and it’s excellent the ACT Government’s working with other jurisdictions and the Federal Government to align its approach.
 
‘Government funding to support GPs to access well-supported, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, clinical tools, and continuing professional development will help more patients access care sooner.’
 
A recent newsGP poll found around one third of GPs nationwide are interested in prescribing ADHD medication, while around 10% remain unsure.
 
Dr Hoffman said while not every GP will want to prescribe medicine for ADHD, ‘GPs with an interest and the appropriate skills and training should be allowed to provide this care independently’.
 
The RACGP has launched similar appeals for change in Tasmania and Victoria, saying it is well within a GP’s scope of practice to manage ADHD.
 
Despite this, GPs face significant red tape in many states if they want to prescribe stimulant medication, with some states requiring them to obtain a permit. 

RACGP Victoria Chair Dr Anita Muñoz said patients in her state are currently facing long wait times and high out-of-pocket costs, with a comprehensive ADHD assessment costing up to $2000.
 
‘This change is past due,’ she said.
 
‘Enabling GPs in Victoria to diagnose, initiate and manage psychostimulants for ADHD will reduce specialist bottlenecks, improve timely access to treatment and reduce costs for patients, while easing pressure on public hospital outpatient waiting lists.’
 
With ADHD affecting up to 10% of Australians, RACGP Specific Interests Child and Young Person’s Health Chair Dr Tim Jones said early intervention for children with ADHD is vital, while, for adult patients, a diagnosis and access to treatment can be ‘lifechanging’.
 
‘We can work with patients to develop holistic treatment plans incorporating both lifestyle and focused interventions to make the biggest difference,’ he said.
 
‘The RACGP has been working around the country to support access to ADHD care, and we’re also calling for nationally uniform rules that will enhance quality, safety and access.
 
‘The Federal Government committed to this last year, and the RACGP will support its implementation to help GPs break barriers to care for patients across states and territories.’
 
The advocacy effort will ramp up even further on Wednesday when Dr Muñoz, alongside a group of Victorian GPs, visit the state’s Parliament House to advocate for GPs to be enabled to provide ADHD diagnosis and assessment.
 
GP education is currently available through the curriculum for RACGP GP training and ADHD modules in the college’s gplearning platform.
 
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ADHD attention deficit hyperactivity disorder scope of practice