Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for General Practitioners (GPs) working in the ACT who are interested in managing and prescribing medications and diagnosing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The EOI will help shape the pilot program, which aims to improve affordability and support timely access to assessment and treatment for patients, while supporting GPs to work to an expanded scope of practice.
This announcement builds on the ACT Government's election commitment to expand the role for GPs in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD and will help deliver a more integrated healthcare system for Canberrans.
This program will expand on the ACT's existing continuation prescribing provisions, which enable a paediatrician, psychiatrist or neurologist to hand over prescribing to a GP for a period of two years for patients over the age of four.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said calling for EOIs for the pilot marks an important step in the program and in improving access to care in the ACT.
"The ACT Government acknowledges the pressures and barriers patients and families can sometimes experience when accessing treatments for ADHD. Expanding GP scope of practice in this space is a priority for us," Minister Stephen-Smith said.
"This pilot program will help make health care more accessible, timely, and equitable for individuals and families navigating an ADHD diagnosis.
"By expanding the scope of practice for GPs to diagnose and prescribe for ADHD, we're empowering them to play a more significant role in treatment and care for those with ADHD and making it easier for people to access the support they need sooner."
In addition to identifying GPs who are interested in the diagnosing or prescribing streams of the pilot program, the EOI process is also seeking information on what care GPs already provide for patients with ADHD and their preferences on specific training delivery to help inform the pilot. Stakeholder engagement and consultation on the pilot program will continue over the coming months and will help shape the pilot framework.
To ensure the safe and effective implementation of this expanded scope of practice, participating GPs will be required to complete specific further training.
The ACT Government is also working closely with the Federal Government and other jurisdictions towards a nationally consistent approach to expanding GP scope of practice for ADHD diagnosis and medication management.
