The Royal Australian College of GPs has welcomed the Australian Government's support for nationally consistent rules for prescribing medication for Australians living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
It came in the Government's response to the Senate Community Affairs References Committee report: Assessment and support services for people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), released yesterday.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said: "The current lack of consistency for ADHD prescribing is a major barrier to timely care and management for patients.
"We strongly welcome the Government's support for a nationally consistent approach that helps adults and children with ADHD access appropriate and early support from their GP, including reducing regulatory barriers for prescribing stimulant medications.
"Enabling GPs across Australia to better support people living with ADHD will increase access to assessment and treatment, improve the health and wellbeing of patients, as well as reducing wait times and costs, and easing pressure elsewhere in the health system.
"Currently, people with ADHD face significant barriers to care, including long wait times and high costs for assessment, diagnosis and treatment.
"I've heard of patients waiting months and paying hundreds of dollars to confirm their ADHD diagnosis. And then having to go back to see a psychiatrist for scripts that could be easily and safely prescribed by their GP. This reduction in regulation is important to allow patients to easily access care that they need - with a GP who knows them at their local general practice
"With new ADHD clinical guidelines from the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association, GPs have a comprehensive, evidence-based resource to assist diagnosis and management of ADHD – we can help improve access and reduce costs for patients and ease our stretched health system.
"Increasing patients' Medicare rebates for longer consultations will also improve access to care. Currently people who have complex health issues, including patients with ADHD, are disadvantaged by low government subsidies for longer consults, meaning they have higher out-of-pocket costs. This is an investment in the health of our nation, because when patients can spend the time they need with their GP, they have better health outcomes."
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