GPs to be able to diagnose and treat ADHD in South Australia

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Access to health care for adults and children living with ADHD will soon be easier and cheaper. The South Australian government today announcing significant reforms allowing GPs to diagnose and treat the common neuro-developmental disorder.

Transcript

00:00A change to ADHD diagnosis in the state, set to impact one in 20 Australians.

00:08This is a game changer for our patients. I certainly see many patients in my practice

00:13who are adults who are coming forward realising that they've had undiagnosed ADHD for a long time,

00:18but they are just unable to afford to get that diagnosis confirmed by a psychiatrist.

00:22Under a change to regulation, general practitioners who undergo training

00:26can assess and diagnose ADHD in children and adults from next year.

00:31It aims to fast track the process and make treatment more affordable and accessible for patients.

00:36More South Australians, no matter where they live, particularly in the outer suburbs and in regional areas,

00:41will be able to access help faster and at much significantly lower cost.

00:47Medical professionals say early diagnosis is vital, but has been a significant challenge for most.

00:53Vea Allen has spent $3,000 on diagnosis and treatment for her daughter Pip, something she says changed her life.

01:01It's really obvious to me that the education outcomes are so important in terms of their focus

01:06and changing their life trajectory I think is so obvious because she can sit there, listen and understand now.

01:15Interested GPs can choose to undergo special training that allows them to offer the extra care.

01:20While psychologists and psychiatrists have welcomed the changes, they say doctors will need extra support

01:25to care for patients with complex variations of ADHD and ensure additional access to treatment and care beyond medication.

01:33All South Australians should be able to receive access to healthcare and it shouldn't depend on where you live

01:38or what your bank balance is.

01:41The change will come into play from 2026.

01:45People with ADHD befriend people with ADHD.

01:50People with ADHD befriend people with ADHD.

01:52People with ADHD.

01:54People with ADHD befriend people with ADHD.

01:55People with ADHD has allowed to make她 empowered.

01:59Why is sheさん out of their謝謝?

02:01You can see the change of that.

02:04But your life

02:12has been seeking is la win-م.

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