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‘Game changer’: Queensland GPs allowed to diagnose and treat ADHD
In an Australian first, the state’s GPs will be able to initiate, adjust and continue prescriptions for adult patients with no extra training.
RACGP Queensland Chair Dr Cath Hester, Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls, and RACGP President Dr Michael Wright announcing ADHD reforms at GP25. (Image: Jake Pinskier)
For the first time in Australia, every GP in Queensland will be able to diagnose and treat adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from 1 December.
The state’s GPs will not have to undergo any extra training to treat the disorder, in a bid to make better use of what the state’s health minister describes as GPs’ ‘underutilised’ skillsets.
Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls used the RACGP’s annual conference as the platform for the landmark announcement on Saturday, describing it as a ‘game changer’ and ‘life changer’ for adults with ADHD.
Minister Nicholls told attendees at GP25 they had ‘led the charge and told us why the system should change, and the government has listened’.
‘Specialist GPs in Queensland will be able to initiate, modify and continue to prescribe psychostimulant medications for the treatments of adults with ADHD,’ he said.
‘This role, championed by the profession, recognises the skillsets that you have that have been underutilised.
‘You will gain the opportunity to expand your clinical capabilities and play a direct role in the part of the management of a prevalent neurological condition that you already interact with.’
In 2017, Queensland became the first jurisdiction to allow all GPs to initiate stimulants for patients aged 4-17 years of age.
The latest announcement comes after a flurry of reforms and training programs undertaken in several states and territories to meet soaring demand for ADHD diagnosis and treatment, with an estimated one in 20 people in Australia having the disorder.
Most recently, South Australia and Western Australia both announced the progression of their training programs.
Victoria and the Northern Territory remain the only jurisdictions not to announce any reforms.
RACGP Queensland Chair Dr Cath Hester told newsGP the announcement is ‘great news for both GPs and their patients across Queensland’.
‘We know GPs are ideally placed to manage chronic conditions like ADHD, and we know that having a GP who knows you and knows your health history, but also helps care for other family members, is the ideal medical practitioner to help you out with conditions like ADHD,’ she said.
‘It’s absolutely terrific news, and I know it will be met with a lot of relief from patients across Queensland who’ve really struggled to access this vital care.
‘We’re really pleased that Queensland is leading the way and we hope other states will follow.’
The RACGP advocates for a nationally consistent model for ADHD reform in its position statement, as does every state, territory and federal health minister.
Minister Nicholls told the GP25 attendees that ‘GPs are at the heart of our communities’.
‘I’m confident we can work together to ensure that these new reforms will deliver outstanding ADHD care across Queensland,’ he said.
‘For people with ADHD, this is a game changer. This is a life changer.
‘It will mean getting the care they need faster, closer to home and more affordably from someone they already know and trust – their GP.’
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