{"id":474608,"date":"2026-02-12T07:41:21","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T07:41:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/474608\/"},"modified":"2026-02-12T07:41:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T07:41:21","slug":"hunter-gps-soon-qualified-to-diagnose-adhd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/474608\/","title":{"rendered":"Hunter GPs Soon Qualified To Diagnose ADHD"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hunter general practitioners (GP) will soon be able to both diagnose and treat ADHD, with new state government reforms.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Beginning in March, GPs will undergo training to upskill and promote more accessible mental health treatment care within the region.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Since September, GPs have been able to dispense repeat prescriptions of psychostimulants in diagnosed patients.\u00a0<\/p>\n

However, the new changes will allow them to diagnose the mental disorder as well.<\/p>\n

The reforms aim to alleviate wait times for psychiatrists and costs on patients.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners ADHD spokesperson Dr Christopher Timms said the initiative is critical for regional communities like the Hunter.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cRegional and rural areas are being prioritized in the role out,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe value of a really good GP cannot be understated, and upskilling those GPs in those areas really will affect wait time \u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Across the state, nearly 600 practitioners have put their hands up to undergo training to treat and diagnose ADHD.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Previously, patients wanting to get diagnosed and medicated have had to receive a referral to a\u00a0psychiatrist from a GP before receiving medications.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The process can typically take months and cost patients more than $1,000.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Dr Timms said these changes will stop patients from being disheartened from the wait times and cost.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a groundbreaking and life changing change for nearly 600 000 patients in NSW with ADHD,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe GP as a whole person specialist is really well placed to do the initial diagnosis and initiate treatment where appropriate for patients with ADHD.\u201d<\/p>\n

BY LOUISE LIMBERS<\/p>\n

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