Western Australian’s living with ADHD could soon be able to see a GP for diagnosis and treatment instead of being referred on to a specialist psychiatrist or paediatrician.
Under a new proposal by WA Labor, if re-elected, GPs scope of practice would be extended to provide specialist support for people with ADHD.
They will also be able to consult directly with psychiatrists specialising in ADHD as part of the proposed GP ASK pilot program. The program would allow GPs to be advised directly by non-GP specialists over the phone or through secure messaging.
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ADHD is estimated to affect one in 20 Australians. Diagnosis and treatment has been limited because of waiting times to see psychiatrists or paediatricians.
Also included in the proposal is $1.2m for ADHD WA to continue providing vital support, information, and wraparound services for children and adolescents with ADHD, as well as their parents and carers.
ADHD WA Chief Executive Bruce MacAdam said his organisation was ready to deliver on the proposed $1.2m funding.
“With this financial support, we can enhance our services to ensure individuals with ADHD, along with their loved ones, receive the comprehensive care they deserve,” Mr MacAdam said.
The new proposal follows the recent publication of a new ADHD Prescribing Guide, which aims to ensure consistent diagnosis and treatment across the nation.
The guide was developed by the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association, an advisory group of cross-disciplinary health professionals including pharmacists, clinicians, academics, researchers and people with ADHD.
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It provides the most up-to-date set of protocols and advice for diagnosis and treatment.
AADPA President Professor David Coghill said GPs play a pivotal role in care for people with ADHD and ensuring they had access to high-quality training will be critical to the success of the proposal.
“Considering recent changes to WA’s prescribing of stimulant medication regulations, this is clearly the next step, and appropriate and robust education resources and training programs for GPs are needed to ensure that appropriate models of care deliver safe and appropriate treatment,” he said.
GPs already prescribe various Schedule 8 medications. This proposal would align ADHD medication prescribing with existing safe prescribing protocols. The use of ScriptCheckWA, and its real-time prescription monitoring system, will further safeguard against inappropriate prescribing and ensure patient safety, AADPA said in a statement.
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RACGP Vice President and WA Chair Dr Ramya Raman also welcomed the initiative.
“ADHD is estimated to cost Australians $20 billion every year. That includes both direct health costs and more abstract factors like its impacts on productivity, but we can’t lose sight of the human side,” Dr Raman said.
“Patients deserve ongoing access to care through their specialist GP who knows them and their history. This proposal can enable that for people living with ADHD.”
The WA Liberal party has promised $5m for ADHD training for GPs to work in collaboration with paediatricians and other specialists to manage ADHD patients.
It would also give ADHD WA $250,000 over four years to expand professional development programs for teachers, principals and school staff.
ADHD WA’s professional development programs help educators to learn practical strategies to support students with ADHD in the classroom.
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