THE Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) has called on governments in Victoria and Tasmania to allow GPs to diagnose and prescribe for ADHD after announcements in Western Australia, the ACT and NSW.
The RACGP pointed out that ADHD is within the scope of general practice, with education available for GPs through the current curriculum for RACGP GP training.
Additionally, specialist GPs are often patients' first point of contact for an ADHD assessment and often manage their patients' ADHD in shared care arrangements with treating psychiatrists and paediatricians.
However, in Victoria, GPs are not authorised to diagnose ADHD or start patients on stimulant medication, and must obtain a permit to prescribe stimulant medication for each patient under Victorian regulations.
As in other jurisdictions, GPs must also receive authorisation for each prescription under Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme rules.
Similarly, GPs in Tasmania have marked limitations on the care they can provide to patients with ADHD.
RACGP Victoria Chair Dr Anita Munoz and RACGP Tasmania Chair Dr Toby Gardner said it is time for their respective state governments to allow specialist GPs with expertise in ADHD to work to their full scope.
"Up to 163,000 Victorian children and 320,000 adults may be living with ADHD in Victoria," Dr Munoz said.
"But many of these patients can't access an assessment, which may currently only be provided by a psychiatrist or, for younger patients, a paediatrician," she continued.
"They face long wait times and high out-of-pocket costs, with a comprehensive ADHD assessment in Victoria costing up to $2,000."
Both highlighted equity issues, with patients living in areas of socioeconomic disadvantage and rural and remote areas - where cost and limited access to non-GP specialists create further barriers to care - being particularly vulnerable .
This inequitable access was a key issue highlighted through the ongoing submissions to the Tasmanian Government's inquiry into the assessment and treatment of ADHD and support services.
Meanwhile, Dr Munoz and other GPs from around Victoria will descend on Parliament House on Wed 18 Jun to advocate for reforms including for GPs to be able to provide ADHD diagnosis and assessment.
She said Victorian GPs "are ready".
"This change is past due," Dr Munoz said.
"Early intervention for children with ADHD is vital - it sets them up to thrive at school and at home.
"For adult patients, a diagnosis and access to treatment can be life-changing." KB
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