The first WA GPs to independently diagnose and manage ADHD will start providing this care in early 2026 following an initial period of co-management with non-GP specialist mentorship.
The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) lauded today’s WA Government announcement that it has committed $1.3 million in the WA Budget to the state’s ADHD GP Program.
This will include training 65 specialist GPs to diagnose ADHD and prescribe stimulant medication to manage its treatment for patients aged 10 and older.
RACGP Vice President and WA Chair Dr Ramya Raman said: “This commitment is very welcome. It’s a fantastic move by the WA Government to support access to ADHD care, and a great example of concrete changes coming out of the RACGP’s advocacy on ADHD.
“Western Australia has led the way in ADHD, sparking a flurry of national activity to increase access to ADHD assessment and management by specialist GPs.
“The training program is expected to be rolled out later this year, with the first participating cohort of GPs being able to diagnose and treat ADHD independently from early 2026.
“After a period of co-management and mentorship following RACGP-developed online training, these GPs will be able to provide this care independently, greatly boosting access for patients, especially those in rural and lower-socioeconomic status areas.”
GPs to boost equitable access to ADHD care
Patients currently need to see a psychiatrist or paediatrician to receive a diagnosis for ADHD. But those living in areas of socioeconomic disadvantage, and rural and remote areas, where cost and limited access to non-GP specialists create additional barriers to care, have significantly lower use of ADHD medication.
This inequitable access was a key issue highlighted by the Senate inquiry into Assessment and support services for people with ADHD.
Dr Raman said: “These changes will allow a trusted specialist GP, who in many cases will already know the patient and their history, to make the diagnosis and manage treatment, which may include prescribing a stimulant medication.
“The training program will initially be open to 65 GPs in Western Australia from a mix of rural and metro locations.
“Most patients and families know how beneficial it is to have our health managed by a specialist GP who knows us. This commitment will enable a number of GPs to practise at top of scope to help reduce treatment delays and costs for patients.
“When governments collaborate with GPs, it leads to reforms that can be lifechanging for patients, and this initiative by the WA Government perfectly demonstrates that.
“The RACGP looks forward to continuing this collaboration to improve access to ADHD care for patients around Western Australia.”
Training will be Australia’s first for GPs to diagnose and treat ADHD
The online training modules were developed by the RACGP and will be supported with peer learning and mentorship from WA psychiatrists and paediatricians.
All RACGP members can also access the ADHD training modules in the College’s gplearning platform at any time.
The WA Labor Government was the first Australian jurisdiction to announce a comprehensive program for ADHD diagnosis and management by specialist GPs.
Dr Raman said: “The training program includes six months of close collaboration with specialist paediatricians and psychiatrists to ensure GPs are confident, skilled, and well-advised for what can be a complex assessment.
“The training will include online modules, monthly online peer-group learning sessions with ADHD paediatricians and psychiatrists, asynchronous case discussions and peer support, plus access to clinical resources such as AAPDA guidelines for ADHD assessment, management, and prescribing.”
An expression of interest for participating GPs will be released later today. Interested GPs are encouraged to get in touch with the RACGP WA team, via: [email protected]
~ENDS
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