Новы Паўднёвы Уэльс спрашчае лячэнне СДВГ з дапамогай новых правілаў прызначэння рэцэптаў тэрапеўтам

General practitioners in New South Wales (NSW) are set to provide a more accessible approach to treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) through new medication prescription guidelines. Starting soon, many Australians diagnosed with ADHD will no longer need to see specialists for ongoing care, allowing them to receive treatment directly from their local GP.

The changes, already implemented in Queensland and proposed for Western Australia, aim to alleviate the burden of costly specialist appointments, which can cost families over $5,000 for assessments and involve wait times of several months. Under the new rules, GPs in NSW will be authorized to issue ongoing prescriptions for patients already diagnosed and stabilized on their medication. A limited number of GPs will also be trained to diagnose ADHD and initiate treatment.

In the coming months, approximately 1,000 GPs will begin their training, funded by NSW Health, to ensure they can safely prescribe medications for ADHD. Rebekah Hoffman, chair of the Royal Australian College of GPs in NSW, emphasized that similar practices have been effective in other countries, such as Canada and the UK, where GPs have safely prescribed ADHD medications for years.

NSW Premier Chris Minns stated that these reforms aim to eliminate red tape that often delays diagnosis and treatment, highlighting that children who do not receive timely diagnoses miss opportunities to excel academically and socially.

Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson pointed out the particular advantage these changes will bring to families in regional areas, where access to pediatricians can be limited. For many families, the difference between receiving help now versus waiting years can profoundly impact their quality of life.

ADHD is a developmental disorder that begins in early childhood and can affect various aspects of daily living, including managing responsibilities and time. It is estimated that over one million Australians, or about one in every 20 people, live with this condition. The new GP prescription rules are expected to remove barriers to treatment, ultimately improving access to crucial care for those affected by ADHD.