Queensland's adult patients living with ADHD will have improved access to care though specialist GPs from today following changes by the Queensland Crisafulli Government.
Specialist GPs have been able to diagnose, manage, and prescribe for ADHD for children since 2017 in Queensland, and today's change makes it the first state to allow specialist GPs to initiate, modify, and continue ADHD medication for adults.
The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) estimates patients will be able to save between $500–1400 each per year in out-of-pocket costs.
Research suggests up to 10% of adults live with ADHD, meaning up to 400,000 adults in Queensland may live with ADHD. This means with the Crisafulli Government's reforms, Queenslanders could collectively save over $200 million per year, potentially over $500 million, while gaining improved access through their GP.
While not all specialist GPs will prescribe for ADHD or provide assessments or diagnosis, the RACGP expects access to grow as more upskill in this space. This progression will particularly help communities that currently have limited access to care, such as those in rural and less advantaged areas.
RACGP Queensland Chair Dr Cath Hester said the announcement specialist GPs would be able to provide evidence-based care for ADHD in adults will come as a relief for patients who have struggled to access care for the relatively common condition.
"It's a strong signal that the Queensland Government recognises ADHD diagnosis and management is part of specialist GPs' scope," she said.
"Developing new skills and staying up to date with clinical best practice is part of general practice, and specialist GPs are well-supported to upskill in ADHD by evidence-based guidelines, ADHD training that is free for RACGP members, and peer-to-peer support through our ADHD specific interest group.
"Over the last two weeks, hundreds of GPs across the state have already enrolled and completed educational modules to help upskill in the management of ADHD. This sends a clear signal that specialist GPs will be working hard to provide the best quality care for their patients.
"For complex cases, specialist GPs will continue to seek the invaluable support and assistance of other healthcare providers such as paediatricians, psychiatrists, and psychologists.
"For a variety of reason, not every specialist GP will engage in providing care or prescriptions for ADHD, but if you have an existing diagnosis or think an assessment is a good idea, speak to your GP. If they're unable to provide this care, they will be able to help direct you to a local GP or other medical specialist who does.
"I am pleased to see patients with ADHD will find it easier to access safe care. Many adults have found a diagnosis and appropriate care has a transformative effect on their life."
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright reiterated the College's call for nationally consistent rules around ADHD.
"Australia's health ministers endorsed the need to harmonise state rules around ADHD diagnosis and prescribing in September, and Australia's GPs and ADHD professionals urged them to reach consistency by June 2026," he said.
"Patients need access to care, and safe ADHD management and accurate assessment is within specialist GPs' scope and training. ADHD doesn't change at the state or territory line, and the rules shouldn't either."
Associate Professor John Kramer, Chair of RACGP Specific Interest ADHD, ASD, and Neurodiversity, said GPs are well-equipped to provide this care.
"There's currently a huge and well-documented health equity issue in access to ADHD care across Australia," he said.
"Patients in Australia's 20% most socioeconomically advantaged regions are prescribed medications for ADHD at more than twice the rate of those in the 20% least advantaged regions. Access to care has improved, but the disparity rural and remote patients experience has widened, not narrowed. It's deeply unfair.
"Safe and evidence-based care delivered by specialist GPs and multidisciplinary teams is the solution.
"An ADHD diagnosis has been a revelation for many of my patients, and access to medication has been lifechanging. But it's not the solution for every patient, and it's never the only solution. Developing good habits around sleep, exercise, healthy eating, and healthy behaviours are at least as important to giving patient a healthy life
"As GPs, we're also usually the medical practitioners who know our patients best, and we're the best-placed to provide that whole-of-person care.
"If you want to extend your practice to ADHD management and diagnosis, the RACGP's online ADHD training is free for members, straightforward, evidence-based, and highly relevant. If ADHD will be a new area for you as a GP, I strongly encourage you to start there, and also make use of the excellent guidelines for GPs and other practitioners."
GPs with an interest in providing care for ADHD can join the College's Specific Interest ADHD, ASD, and Neurodiversity group, and a range of resources are available.
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