Suzanne Grobke undertakes an eight-hour journey every three months to obtain ADHD medication for her 12-year-old daughter from a specialist. The Royal Australasian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is advocating for the Albanese government to expand the range of medications that general practitioners can prescribe.
Suzanne's daughter was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of three, and due to long waiting times for regional specialists, they consult a pediatrician in Sydney. Her daughter, who also struggles with anxiety and other mental health issues, is on multiple medications, including Ritalin. Suzanne believes that if their local GP could prescribe Ritalin, it would significantly ease their situation, as she currently has to take time off work to make the trip.
With ADHD rates increasing and specialist access in regional areas being challenging, the RACGP is urging the federal government to allow GPs to prescribe more medications, including those for ADHD. They argue that a consistent national approach to ADHD medication prescriptions would reduce the burden on the healthcare system and help the over one million Australians living with ADHD.
Currently, in most regions, psychiatrists must diagnose and initially prescribe stimulant medications like Ritalin, with GPs co-managing thereafter. In some areas, GPs have more prescribing authority, but inconsistencies across states lead to higher costs and complications for patients and doctors alike.
Dr. Tim Jones from the RACGP highlights the lengthy wait times for ADHD assessments in Tasmania and calls for collaborative solutions to address these issues. He suggests that allowing GPs to manage stable ADHD cases could reduce costs for families and free up specialists to handle new assessments.
A 2023 Senate inquiry into ADHD emphasized the challenges faced by those with the disorder, including treatment costs and waiting times. The inquiry recommended uniform national rules for ADHD prescriptions, a move supported by the federal government but not yet enacted.
RACGP President Dr. Michael Wright stresses that access to medical care should not depend on location. He argues that empowering GPs to prescribe ADHD medications would lower financial barriers, improve health outcomes, and alleviate pressure on the healthcare system.
For Suzanne, such changes would mean less time away from work, reduced expenses, and better local support for her daughter, whose life has greatly improved with the medication.