Reforms that will allow specialist GPs to diagnose ADHD in NSW from March will change many thousands of lives, the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) has said.
The NSW government reports nearly 600 GPs across NSW have expressed their interest in undertaking training to be able to diagnose ADHD as ‘endorsed prescribers’, under the second stage of its reforms.
The much-anticipated second stage follows September 2025 changes that enabled GPs trained as ‘continuation prescribers’ to prescribe repeat ADHD medication scripts for patients with an existing diagnosis, saving patients and their families $500-1400 a year. Previously, most patients seeking ADHD care had to navigate a costly and overloaded non-GP specialist system, with long wait times and high fees delaying care, particularly in rural areas.
Since 1 September, more than 800 specialist GPs have completed training to become continuation prescribers, allowing over 5000 patients to benefit from this increased access, with over 18,000 scripts filled due to the change.
Life-changing
RACGP NSW & ACT Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman said allowing patients to receive an ADHD diagnosis from a specialist GP will change lives.
‘The evidence indicates up to 10 per cent of children, and 6 per cent of adults, live with ADHD. This is a common condition that can be diagnosed and managed well by a specialist GP with appropriate training,’ she said.
‘The reforms announced by the NSW government will make a huge difference to thousands of patients in our state. Access to an ADHD diagnosis and ongoing care is very often life-changing.’
RACGP Specific Interests ADHD, ASD, and Neurodiversity Deputy Chair Dr Will Errington, a Sydney GP, emphasised the value of the whole-of-person care GPs can provide patients with ADHD.
“’The changes mean more patients can receive this care more easily, from their initial diagnosis to the essential ongoing care that helps patients succeed at every stage of their lives,’ he said.
‘ADHD affects many aspects of a person’s life and health: their sleep, their education, how they interact with others. GPs are specialists in whole-of-person care and are well placed to help patients with ADHD to thrive at school, in university, at work, and at home.’
Support crucial
Dr Errington’s patient, 21-year-old and psychology graduate Lucia Porteus, is just one example.
‘What helped me most to overcome the challenges of ADHD was not just medication but also the continued access to treatment and support I received from my ADHD coach, my school, my paediatricians, my GPs and my family,’ said Ms Porteus.
“’Their support helped me to graduate with a Bachelor of Psychological Science from UNSW, and I’m currently looking at completing post-grad or honours to help people with disabilities and mental health issues to succeed, too.
‘I know I have been lucky. Many of my peers have struggled to access medication or a diagnosis for ADHD because of costs and long wait lists, but this new policy will remove those barriers for so many people.’
