Victorian Initiative to Expand ADHD Care
The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) has endorsed the Victorian Government’s plan to enhance ADHD diagnosis and treatment access through additional training for general practitioners, starting September.
Accessing ADHD assessment and treatment has meant long waits and high costs for many Victorians, according to RACGP Victoria Chair Dr Anita Muf1oz. She noted that general practitioners are specialists in continuous care and, with additional training, can effectively diagnose and manage ADHD.
Dr Muf1oz stated, “General practitioners are well placed to safely diagnose and manage ADHD in collaboration with specialist colleagues.”
Training to Address Care Bottlenecks
The programme will enable GPs to diagnose and treat ADHD in adults and children aged six years and over. This expansion seeks to alleviate pressure on specialist services as demand for ADHD assessments continues to rise. Empowering GPs to work to their full scope is essential for improving access and reducing system bottlenecks.
Dr Muf1oz emphasised, “The initiative will ensure patients receive timely care, improving outcomes in education and employment.” She stressed that strong clinical governance and collaboration with psychiatrists and paediatricians are vital for the programme’s success.
The College highlighted the importance of equitable access to training, especially for GPs in rural and outer metropolitan areas where specialist services are often limited. Dr Muf1oz added, “This initiative has the potential to deliver real benefits for communities that currently face the greatest barriers to care.”
RACGP is committed to collaborating with the Victorian Government to implement the programme and ensure the delivery of safe, accessible, and patient-centred ADHD care. The College looks forward to supporting the initiative, which promises to improve healthcare outcomes across the state.
Strong clinical governance, clear guidelines, and ongoing collaboration with psychiatrists and paediatricians will be essential to the success of this programme. High-quality, evidence-based care must remain at the core of any reform, ensuring that patients with complex needs receive appropriate multidisciplinary support.
