Canberra’s ADHD Care Revolution: What’s Next for Diagnosis and Treatment?
Canberra residents living with ADHD are experiencing a significant shift in access to care, thanks to recent reforms allowing trained GPs to prescribe medication. This marks the first stage of a broader plan to address long wait times and specialist appointment bottlenecks that have historically plagued the ACT’s ADHD treatment landscape. But what does this mean for patients now, and what can we expect to see unfold in the coming months?
Streamlining Care for Existing Patients
For individuals already diagnosed with ADHD and stable on their current medication, the changes offer a welcome simplification. Previously, maintaining prescriptions often required frequent visits to specialists – paediatricians, psychiatrists, or neurologists. Now, GPs who have completed specific training can continue prescribing, adjusting dosages (in some cases), without the require for constant specialist review. This is particularly beneficial for those aged six and older.
“Families and individuals living with ADHD can sometimes face barriers to accessing treatment,” stated ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith. The reforms aim to reduce these barriers by decreasing delays and easing the burden on a stretched healthcare system.
All doctors prescribing ADHD medication will now be required to review the Canberra Script, the ACT’s real-time prescription monitoring system. This system supports clinical decision-making and helps reduce potential harms from combining medications.
The AMA’s Perspective: A “Sensible Reform”
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) ACT has welcomed the changes, describing them as a “sensible reform.” Dr. Kerrie Aust, AMA ACT president, highlighted that the recent pathway “reflects both clinical realities and the calls from patients and families for better access to timely assessment and treatment.” Importantly, the changes maintain safeguards and recognize the central role of GPs in patient care.
GPs who haven’t undertaken the required training will continue to prescribe ADHD medication in a shared-care arrangement with specialists.
Looking Ahead: GPs Diagnosing ADHD
The current changes are just the beginning. Later in 2026, further reforms will empower GPs, with additional training, to diagnose ADHD and initiate medication for patients. This represents a significant expansion of their scope of practice and a potential game-changer for early intervention.
Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) NSW&. ACT chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman emphasized the importance of this step, stating that it will “craft a tangible difference for patients and families who often face long waits for specialist appointments.”
Dr. Hoffman also noted that recognizing the role GPs can play in diagnosing and managing ADHD is “overdue,” drawing on successful models already in place in Queensland.
The Bigger Picture: ADHD Prevalence and Access to Care
ADHD affects an estimated 6 to 10 per cent of Australian children and young people, and 2 to 10 per cent of adults. Historically, accessing timely diagnosis and treatment has been a challenge, leading many families to seek care interstate.
The ACT Government’s commitment to expanding GPs’ role in ADHD care was an election promise, demonstrating a clear recognition of the need for improved access and a more responsive healthcare system.
Did you know? GPs are already successfully managing a wide range of chronic conditions, and ADHD is not radically different in terms of ongoing care requirements.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q: Who is eligible for the new prescribing arrangements?
A: Patients aged six years or older with an existing ADHD diagnosis who are stable on their current medication.
Q: Will all GPs be able to prescribe ADHD medication?
A: Only GPs who have completed the specific required training.
Q: What is Canberra Script?
A: It’s the ACT’s real-time prescription monitoring system, designed to support clinical decision-making and reduce harm from medication combinations.
Q: When will GPs be able to diagnose ADHD?
A: Later in 2026, after completing further additional training.
Q: What if my GP hasn’t completed the training?
A: They can continue prescribing in a shared-care arrangement with a specialist.
Pro Tip: Talk to your GP to see if they have completed the necessary training and whether this new approach is right for you or your family.
Learn more about ADHD care in the ACT on the ACT Government website or visit HealthDirect for general information about ADHD.
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