Patients in SA will no longer face the costs and wait times involved in consulting a specialist for a diagnosis. Photo: Svit Lanah.
The South Australian Government is introducing reforms to ease the path for residents of the state to receive an attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis as well as further treatment.
Supported by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), the reforms allow GPs to diagnose and treat ADHD in children and adults. The move intends to reduce the cost and wait times associated with receiving the same care through either a psychiatrist or paediatrician. It also will reduce pressure on those specialties.
“We are making it cheaper and easier for South Australians to access life-changing treatment for ADHD, by allowing GPs to treat and diagnose the condition,” Minister for Health and Wellbeing Chris Picton said.
“We know many South Australians currently face lengthy wait times and huge costs to access a diagnosis and treatment. Children can struggle academically and socially as a result of ADHD and we want to reduce any delays in them receiving help.
“These game-changing reforms will improve the lives of children and adults across the state.”
Specialist appointments are often prohibitively expensive, with many patients paying more than $2000 and waiting months or years to receive a diagnosis for complex conditions.
Additional training will be made available to South Australian GPs from next year, enabling them to diagnose ADHD, provide care to patients and their families and prescribe medication to assist with development, workplace challenges and learning, all without the need for specialist appointments.
The changes allow “specialist” GPs to provide holistic care for ADHD patients, which includes aspects of care relevant to the disorder, such as sleep hygiene, screen time, education and behavioural management, support groups and counselling.
In addition to those benefits, the reform also seeks to provide greater access to care in outer-metropolitan or regional areas where a specialist may not be available.
RACGP SA chair Dr Siân Goodson said: “An ADHD assessment and diagnosis can cost thousands of dollars and months of waiting. Health data shows families in more rural and lower-socioeconomic status areas are missing out on this care at significantly higher rates.
“As specialist GPs, we care for our patients throughout their lives and are the most accessible medical practitioners. GPs with an interest in ADHD are supported by appropriate clinical guidelines and well placed to provide an assessment, diagnosis, and ongoing care.”
The South Australian Government said an estimated 5 per cent of Australians had ADHD. The condition affects thinking, behaviour and communication, with symptoms such as impulsiveness, restlessness and difficulty in paying attention.
