Almost 300 NSW GPs trained to diagnose ADHD

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 06:08 · Archive

Almost 300 general practitioners in New South Wales have completed training to diagnose attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, previously a service only specialists could provide. GPs in the state were already able to prescribe continuing medicines for the condition from last year as part of a wider plan to make ADHD treatment more accessible.

Long wait-times and high specialist fees have delayed diagnosis and treatment, particularly for children and rural patients who often had to take time off work and school to attend appointments. Dr Rebekah Hoffman, chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practice in NSW and ACT, is among the newly trained GPs. About 70 per cent of the first cohort of trained GPs are based in regional and rural NSW.

Dr Hoffman told AAP that the change is 'quite literally life-changing' for some patients. 'I've had patients that have been able to work and return to work, where previously they've lost multiple jobs because they've not been able to engage appropriately,' she said. 'ADHD shouldn't be anything more than asthma or depression or any other chronic disease. It should be something that your GP can manage.' More than one million Australians are living with ADHD, amounting to about one-in-20 people. After diagnosing patients, the qualified GPs will be able to start them on psychostimulant medication.

How it is being reported

• GPs can now diagnose ADHD in 'life-changing' moveAround 300 GPs across NSW will now be able to diagnose ADHD, making treatment more accessible, especially for patients in regional areas.The West Australian · 21 Oct, 05:44
• GPs can now diagnose ADHD in 'life-changing' moveAround 300 GPs across NSW will now be able to diagnose ADHD, making treatment more accessible, especially for patients in regional areas.Perth Now · 21 Oct, 05:44

In this story: New South Wales · Dr Rebekah Hoffman · Royal Australian College of General Practice · Queensland · Western Australia

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