The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) has called on the Tasmanian Government to allow GPs to support high quality diagnosis and prescribing for ADHD after announcements in Western Australia, the ACT, and New South Wales.
The WA Government committed to improving access for patients by supporting specialist GPs to diagnose and treat ADHD in February following long-term advocacy from the RACGP and Western Australian GPs. The NSW Government also recently announced changes to improve access and affordability through treatment by GPs, and the ACT Government committed to allowing GPs to diagnose ADHD in the 2024 election.
Long term ADHD care 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.
But in Tasmania, GPs have marked limitations on the care they can provide to patients with ADHD.
RACGP Tasmania Chair Dr Toby Gardner said it was time for the Tasmanian Government to allow specialist GPs with expertise in ADHD to be permitted to work to their full scope.
"As specialist GPs, we are the most accessed and accessible element of our health system, providing long-term support and helping improve outcomes for patients" he said.
"That puts specialist GPs in a perfect position to support patients with ADHD. GPs are well-supported by appropriate prescribing guidelines, and GPs have been successfully managing children with ADHD in Queensland for eight years without issues.
"Assessment and diagnosis for ADHD can cost patients thousands of dollars, with long wait times. Management by a non-GP specialist can mean travelling for hours. Patients in more rural and lower socioeconomic status areas are missing out on care. GPs could make this care both more affordable and more accessible. This change is overdue."
RACGP Tasmania Deputy Chair Dr Tim Jones said access to care for ADHD can have transformative effects on a patient's life and health.
"Early intervention for children with ADHD is vital. It sets them up to thrive at school and at home," Dr Jones said.
"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.
"Enabling GPs in Tasmania to support people living with ADHD will increase access to assessment and treatment, improve patients' health and wellbeing, reduce wait times and costs, and take pressure off public and private wait lists.
"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."
Dr Jones is also the RACGP's Chair of Child and Young Person's Health group, and was part of a pilot program designed to reduce wait times in Tasmania by employing GPs with specific interests in hospital outpatient services including paediatric, antenatal, cardiology, and mental health services.
Patients living in areas of socioeconomic disadvantage and rural and remote areas, where cost and limited access to non-GP specialists create additional barriers to care, are particularly vulnerable.
This inequitable access was a key issue highlighted through the ongoing submissions to the Tasmanian Government's Inquiry into the assessment and treatment of ADHD and support services.
Dr Gardner reiterated RACGP calls to break barriers to care for patients, including incentivising long consultations which allow patients with chronic conditions like ADHD the time they need to plan their care.
"Patients being able to spend the time they need with a GP to provide individualised support is essential," Dr Gardner said.
"Boosting funding for long consults by 40% will make the care our patients need far more affordable and accessible, and support bulk billing. There's no substitute for the care you can get from a GP who knows your health and your history."
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