The state government has today announced the first stages of ADHD reforms set to take place over the coming year.
ADHD reforms are now in full swing for NSW, with the state government announcing that GPs will be able to resupply prescriptions by September.
This major reform is part of the staged process to make ADHD care more accessible both financially and geographically.
For the first stage, trained GPs will be able to manage resupply prescriptions without needing a formal arrangement with a psychiatrist or paediatrician.
The NSW government has been heavily promoting this initiative for how it will increase access for families with fewer financial barriers.
The initial wave of training will focus purely on resupply, for which the government has now opened expressions of interest.
The next step of the initiative is expected to roll out by the end of the year with training to diagnose and initiate medication to begin.
NSW Health has pledged to pay for training for GPs along with access to resources to ensure widespread access.
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“The beginning of this training is a welcome milestone because it means people, especially children, with ADHD are one step closer to having their condition managed by a GP,” Health Minister Ryan Park said.
“These reforms will have a positive impact on patients both in terms of saving them time and money while accessing care that they need, but we also know the flow on effects will be huge.”
“We are building a system where ADHD care is based on need, not income,” Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson said.
“No more waiting lists just to refill your script. No more reaching for your credit card to access essential healthcare.
“These reforms are about fairness. Your ability to get help for ADHD shouldn’t depend on how much money you have or whether you can afford a specialist appointment.”
This initiative has long been supported by the RACGP, which has expressed interest in how it will assist in forming the legislation for ADHD reforms across the nation.
“This is something that should have a nationally consistent approach, and we would really call for all of Australia to be in line with New South Wales,” RACGP NSW chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman told The Medical Republic.
“The working group is quite a diverse group of clinicians and community members.
“It has representatives from the colleges of psychiatry and Paediatrics and New South Wales Health and community groups and including rural and regional practitioners as well, and they’ve been working really well together.”
