GPs will be allowed to diagnose and treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adults, under reforms being introduced by the State Government.
Backed by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the reforms will significantly reduce cost and lengthy wait times associated with having to go through a paediatrician or psychiatrist.
From 2026, additional training will be made available to South Australian GPs, enabling them to diagnose ADHD, provide support to patients and families and prescribe medication without the need for specialist appointments.
Currently in South Australia adults seeking a diagnosis must first see a psychiatrist for assessment and children must see a paediatrician.
Specialist appointments are often expensive, with many patients paying upwards of $2000 and waiting months or years to receive a diagnosis for the complex condition.
It is estimated that one in 20 Australians has ADHD, with the condition affecting an individual’s thinking, communication and behaviour. Symptoms include difficulty paying attention, impulsiveness and restlessness.
In recent years, greater understanding of the condition has led to increased demand for ADHD assessments across Australia.
The reforms are also expected to ease pressure on key specialty areas, including psychiatry and paediatrics, and allow specialist GPs to provide holistic care for their patients with ADHD.
Accredited training will be provided through the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, with additional ongoing support to be provided post-training.
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners SA Chair Dr Siân Goodson said it can take months and cost thousands to receive an ADHD assessment and diagnosis
"GPs with an interest in ADHD are supported by appropriate clinical guidelines and well-placed to provide an assessment, diagnosis, and ongoing care," she said.
"Early intervention for children with ADHD sets children up for success at school and throughout their lives. For adults, a diagnosis and access to treatment by a GP who knows you can be life-changing."
General Practitioner Dr Scott Parsons said the reforms would address "the significant barriers and waiting times parents and caregivers are currently experiencing in South Australia".
"This is particularly so amongst more vulnerable groups, where GPs are the most accessible medical practitioners," Dr Parsons said.
"Early intervention significantly improves the situation for the child, the family and in many cases, dramatically improves the child’s life trajectory."
SA has led Australia in providing flexibility in how people can access their ADHD medication once diagnosed and will now join other states in implementing reforms to ADHD diagnosis.
In New South Wales, GPs will provide ongoing prescriptions for individuals who are on stable doses of the medication, with a small number of GPs to be trained to diagnose and initiate medication from 2026.
GPs in Queensland have been safely initiating and continuing stimulant medications to patients aged 4 to 18 years since 2017. Meanwhile, Western Australia has proposed allowing patients to receive a diagnosis and treatment from specialist GPs who have additional training in ADHD diagnosis and management.
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