The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) has welcomed work in the ACT to allow GPs to diagnose and prescribe for ADHD.
ACT Labor committed to allowing GPs to diagnose ADHD in the 2024 election that returned the party to government for the seventh time.
Since that election, the WA Government has committed to improving access for patients by supporting specialist GPs to diagnose and treat ADHD following long-term advocacy by the RACGP and Western Australian GPs.
The NSW Government also announced changes to improve access and affordability through treatment by GPs in May.
Patients in NSW are expected to be able to receive an ADHD assessment and diagnosis, and commence medication, from early 2026, and the ACT Government has said it is planning its reforms ahead of consultation with stakeholders, such as the RACGP.
Until reforms are implemented, GPs in the ACT cannot provide assessments for ADHD and need Chief Health Officer approval to prescribe medication for ADHD.
RACGP NSW&ACT Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman said GPs are eager to work with the ACT Government to allow specialist GPs to practise to their full scope in ADHD.
"Specialist GPs are ready to help patients and their families with ADHD diagnoses and ongoing care," she said.
"GPs are often a patient or family's first point of contact on ADHD, so last year's commitment by ACT Labor was very welcome. We look forward to working with the ACT Government to develop and implement an approach that supports Canberrans' access to care.
"Not every GP will prescribe medicine for ADHD, but GPs with an interest and the appropriate skills and training should be allowed to provide this care independently.
"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.
"Many GPs in both the ACT and New South Wales regularly practise across the border, and as we've said, patients will benefit from a nationally consistent approach. 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 their approach."
ADHD is estimated to affect 6–10% of children and young people and 2–10% of adults.
Dr Hoffman said ADHD is within the scope of general practice, with education available for GPs through the current curriculum for RACGP GP training and ADHD modules in the College's gplearning platform.
"If anything, the recognition in the ACT, NSW, and WA of the role GPs should play in diagnosing and managing ADHD is overdue," she said.
"Specialist GPs are well-supported by appropriate prescribing guidelines, and GPs have been successfully supporting children with ADHD in Queensland for eight years without issues.
"We manage a diverse range of chronic conditions throughout our patients' lives, and ADHD isn't radically different. Our role as providers of continuing, holistic care perfectly positions GPs to support patients with ADHD.
"The Federal Government's response to the senate inquiry on ADHD also supported allowing GPs to provide ADHD assessment in principle, noting other work relevant to this area, as part of a national response."
Dr Hoffman said accessing care is transformative for many patients.
"Early intervention for children with ADHD sets them up to thrive at school and at home," she said.
"For adult patients, a diagnosis and access to treatment can be lifechanging.
"But assessment and diagnosis for ADHD is limited by wait times for both paediatricians and psychiatrists in Canberra.
"This is also an equity issue, with assessments potentially costing thousands of dollars. Across Australia, patients in lower socioeconomic status areas are missing out on care, with those in the 20% most disadvantaged areas prescribed ADHD medication at less than half the rate of patients in the 20% most advantaged areas.
"GPs could make this care both more affordable and more accessible."
This inequitable access was a key issue highlighted by the Senate inquiry into assessment and support services for people with ADHD.
Dr Hoffman also reiterated RACGP calls to break barriers to care, including by boosting Medicare funding for long consultations which benefit patients with chronic conditions like ADHD.
"Patients with complex health issues, including ADHD, are disadvantaged by low government subsidies for longer consults, meaning they have higher out-of-pocket costs," she said.
"Boosting Medicare funding for long consults will be an investment in the health of our nation, because when patients can spend the time they need with their GP, they have better health outcomes.
"Medicare funding is a Federal Government responsibility, but long consults will help GPs and patients better manage chronic conditions and reduce hospitalisations generally, so it's an investment in preventive care that'll reduce costs for Canberrans and the ACT Government too.
"There's no substitute for the care you can get from a GP who knows your health and your history."
