The New South Wales (NSW) Government is streamlining access to treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by permitting general practitioners (GPs) to both diagnose and treat patients. This change aims to reduce the high costs and lengthy wait times currently faced by individuals seeking ADHD care.
Traditionally, patients requiring a diagnosis and ongoing treatment have had to consult specialists, often incurring substantial expenses and enduring waits of several months or even years. Under the new plan, GPs will be authorized to prescribe medications for children and adults who are already stabilized on their treatment without needing a formal referral. Additionally, some GPs will receive training to diagnose ADHD and initiate treatment as needed.
Premier Chris Minns emphasized the importance of these reforms, stating, “By safely training more GPs to treat and diagnose ADHD, we aim to eliminate the long delays that many face in obtaining this critical diagnosis. Not being diagnosed can significantly hinder a child’s academic and social development.”
The reforms are expected to save patients both time and money, with estimates suggesting reductions of hundreds of dollars in treatment expenses. GPs will undergo accredited training, with the government seeking expressions of interest for those who want to enhance their skills in ADHD management. This training will be tiered, allowing GPs to choose levels of accreditation that suit their capabilities in diagnosing, treating, and managing ADHD.
Health Minister Ryan Park stated, “We’re facilitating easier access for children and adults to receive ADHD diagnoses and prescriptions. Long wait times and high costs to see specialists have been a barrier to care, and we are committed to changing that. By allowing GPs to manage ADHD, we provide a timely and safe way to access care, thereby easing the burden on specialist services.”
Funding for training and resources will be provided by NSW Health, with the rollout focusing initially on children. Delays in ADHD diagnosis can severely impact a child’s development, leading to poorer academic performance and mental health issues.
Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson mentioned, “This initiative offers much-needed relief for families who have faced long wait times and high costs. Families will no longer need to spend excessively to access the help they require. This reform emphasizes fairness, saving families hundreds of dollars while providing quicker access to necessary support.”
NSW becomes the third state in Australia to implement such reforms. Queensland has allowed GPs to prescribe certain ADHD medications for children without needing additional approvals since 2017, while Western Australia is working on similar measures to enable specific GPs to provide diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Rebekah Hoffman, Chair of the RACGP NSW & ACT, highlighted the critical need for these reforms, stating, “Many families in rural areas face hours of travel to see a specialist, with costs exceeding $5,000 for ADHD assessments. This announcement will profoundly impact families seeking timely and affordable ADHD care. Early intervention is essential for helping children succeed in school and at home.”
Training for GPs will begin in the coming months, with the goal of enabling GPs to provide ongoing prescriptions by early 2026. The reforms represent a significant shift in how ADHD treatment is accessed, with an aim to support families more effectively across the state.
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