Psychology peaks say reforms could lead to lower standards of diagnosis.
Just a day after the NSW government announced new reforms to the role of GPs in ADHD treatment, the ACT government has joined the party with near-identical reforms promised in its election campaign.
“This commitment is in recognition of the need to improve access to diagnosis and treatment of ADHD for Canberrans,” an ACT government spokesperson said.
“The NSW government announcement is welcome and will inform the ongoing work in the ACT.”
Concerns have been raised from multiple bodies, however, including the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association (AADPA), regarding the structure for training, and collaboration with paediatricians and psychiatrists.
“The expansion of GP roles in ADHD care is a positive and necessary step — but it’s essential that we keep accurate diagnosis at the heart of this process,” Professor David Coghill, president of the AADPA, said in a statement.
“We’re not just opening new doors to treatment — we’re helping to build a stronger, more informed health system where GPs are equipped with the right tools, and supported by clear guidelines, strong training, and access to specialist advice,” said Dr Sarahn Lovett, paediatrician and vice president of AADPA.
Many psychologists have said the scheme will be beneficial in providing life-changing access to ADHD treatment but have stated that the reform “needs to go hand-in-hand with training”.
“It really is important that all any practitioners follow the clinical practice guidelines that have been put out by the AADPA,” Professor Caroline Hunt, president of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association, told The Medical Republic.
“We would say that it’s a potentially positive move, but there are dangers associated with it.
“How it’s actually implemented is going to be critical, and there should be consistency across the board.”
Regarding the proposed training set to begin in the coming months, ACPA said there has not been enough information presented on the standards of the new initiative.
“I don’t think there has been enough information presented, and I don’t think there’s probably enough training in this area,” said Professor Hunt.
Related
The Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPi) has made similar remarks, citing how the increase in access should not overshadow concerns of ensuring training standards.
“The Senate inquiry from 2023 in regards to ADHD care recommended a more standardised national approach,” Sahra O’Doherty, president of AAPi, told TMR.
“At the moment, what it looks like is each state is doing a different thing, and each state is affected by different population needs and different rural and regional needs.
“Being able to have this standardised flow of approach where the initial and first point of call is that GP, who is able to do the assessment and diagnosis for ADHD, with some support with psychologists – that’s going to make it a lot easier and accessible for people across the board.”
