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Queensland residents will soon have expanded access to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis and treatment, as general practitioners gain the ability to diagnose the condition in adults and prescribe medication, a first for Australia.The changes, slated to take effect December 1, build upon existing protocols allowing specialist GPs to prescribe ADHD medication for children and adolescents aged 4 to 18.
Addressing a Growing Need for Accessible Care
The move comes as awareness of adult ADHD increases and demand for specialist services strains existing resources. According to Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls, the initiative aims to make care “easier and more affordable to access.” He emphasized that this is a “nation-leading first,” enabling diagnosis and prescription “for patients over the age of 18 no matter where they are throughout the state.”
Nicholls acknowledged the challenges faced by a “growing cohort” of individuals seeking diagnosis, citing both affordability and lengthy wait times for specialists as meaningful barriers.
National Trend Towards expanded ADHD Diagnosis
Queensland is not alone in reassessing its approach to ADHD diagnosis. In June, South Australia announced it would permit GPs with specialized training to diagnose and treat the condition. Western Australia is currently training 65 GPs to diagnose and prescribe medication,but this will initially be limited to children over the age of 10. New South wales and the Australian Capital Territory are also developing training programs for doctors to diagnose and treat ADHD in children, though specific age parameters have not yet been defined.
Minimal Upskilling Required for Queensland GPs
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Queensland anticipates a smooth transition.Council chair Cath Hester stated that Queensland GPs are “already well-placed” due to their existing experience diagnosing and managing ADHD in younger patients. “Extending this scope of practice to include the care of adult patients is actually a vrey natural and very safe progression in the care of these patients who desperately need improved access to services,” she explained.
hester also highlighted that treatment will not be limited to medication. GPs will be equipped to develop “holistic plans” incorporating psychological support and behavioral interventions, and will retain the ability to refer patients to psychiatrists and specialists when necessary.
Addressing Concerns of Overdiagnosis and Under-Recognition
Concerns about potential overdiagnosis were addressed by Hester, who believes the current risk lies in under-recognizing and under-managing the condition. “we know the prevalence for ADHD in the community is up to 10 per cent,which is very high,but we know many of these patients,particularly the ones that are at highest risk of having adverse consequences from this medical condition,have trouble accessing appropriate medical care,” she said.
October is ADHD awareness month, and this year’s focus is on the diverse presentations of the neurological condition.
Psychiatrist Support with Caveats
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists expressed support for the initiative, contingent upon adequate training for GPs. Chair Brett Emmerson noted differing viewpoints within the psychia
