More ADHD-trained GPs a step in the right direction

Nearly 300 GPs are now trained to diagnose and treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in NSW, taking pressure off the psychiatry workforce while reinforcing key pathways to specialist care. 

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) has welcomed the addition of hundreds more doctors to the NSW Government’s Endorsed Prescriber Training Program for ADHD.

It means an additional 300 general practitioners (GPs) in NSW can now safely diagnose and treat ADHD, helping to reduce long wait times and address access barriers in the community.

RANZCP Section of Child and Adolescent Forensic Psychiatry (SCAFP) Chair A/Prof John Kasinathan said the NSW Government announcement represented the next stage in key reforms and would see fewer people fall through cracks.

“GPs are often the first point of contact when someone is seeking support for ADHD, whether it be for themself, their child or a loved one,” A/Prof Kasinathan said.

“Equipping more GPs with ADHD assessment and treatment training means people can access more timely care and treatment for ADHD, where otherwise they may face protracted waits and out-of-pocket costs to see a specialist.” 

A/Prof Kasinathan said GPs should continue to refer patients with more complex needs to specialist psychiatric care.

“While ADHD is a common condition, it frequently presents with comorbid complexity. Symptoms like inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity often overlap with various psychiatric conditions – including mood and anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorders, learning difficulties, psychotic disorder, trauma-related presentations and substance use disorders,” he said.

“More GPs in NSW now better understand this overlap and can connect people with higher-level or more complex needs to specialist psychiatrists, so they can better navigate challenging, chronic symptoms in their day-to-day lives.” 

A/Prof Kasinathan said, while not every access or care barrier for ADHD would be solved in NSW, it was certainly a step in the right direction.

“While we welcome this announcement, significant investment is still needed in the public mental healthcare system to ensure specialist ADHD and psychiatric capacity is built in, not bolted on,” he said.

“This is especially important in rural, regional and remote areas, where support for neurodevelopmental conditions remains scarce and highly fragmented.

“We also know that ADHD remains underdiagnosed in women and girls, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, and First Nations communities, reflecting broader inequities in access to specialist psychiatric care.”

A/Prof Kasinathan also emphasised the importance of accurate ADHD diagnosis.

"A sensitive and thorough psychiatric assessment must be the foundation of every ADHD diagnosis, which then enables the safe and optimal use of medication for ADHD, which may include either non-stimulant and/or stimulant medications,” he said.

“Psychiatrists have a high degree of expertise and have been at the forefront of ADHD diagnosis and treatment for decades – this knowledge has helped inform GP training and ultimately helped our GP colleagues to better understand this condition and feel more confident diagnosing it.” 

A/Prof Kasinathan said additional reforms could help people diagnosed with ADHD in NSW feel seen, safe and better supported.

“Ideally, we’d like additional safeguards in place, like mandatory comprehensive psychiatric assessment training for GPs, shared care models with specialists and very clear referral and escalation pathways to psychiatrists,” he said. 

“RANZCP continues to collaborate with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners NSW, people with lived experience of ADHD and the State Government to make sure any reforms deliver safe, high-quality outcomes in NSW.”

Locations of the GP-endorsed prescribers in NSW will be available on the Healthdirect website from next month.

ENQUIRIES: For more information, or to arrange an interview call Kathleen Jessop on +61 402 484 951 or email media@ranzcp.org.  

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists is a membership organisation that prepares medical specialists in the field of psychiatry, supports and enhances clinical practice, advocates for people affected by mental illness and advises governments and other groups on mental health care. For information about our work, our members or our history, visit www.ranzcp.org.

In Australia: If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au,  the Suicide Callback Service on 1300 659 467 or www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 or via web chat on beyondblue.org.au/get-support 

In New Zealand: If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline NZ on 0800 543 354 or www.lifeline.org.nz or the Suicide Crisis Helpline on 0508 828 865 or www.lifeline.org.nz/suicide-prevention.