In short:
Victorian GPs will soon be able to diagnose and treat ADHD after completing specialist training, expanding access beyond psychiatrists and paediatricians. The changes could reduce wait times and costs for Wyndham families seeking assessment and treatment.
Option For GPs to Gain Diagnosis Powers
ADHD diagnosis and treatment could soon become more accessible for Wyndham residents, with Victorian GPs set to gain the ability to diagnose the condition and prescribe medication following new specialist training.
Expressions of interest open on 15 June for GPs who wish to undertake the training program, which will be delivered by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners from September.
Under the current system, adults seeking an ADHD diagnosis must see a specialist, while children require assessment by a paediatrician or psychiatrist before medication can be prescribed.
The changes will allow trained GPs to diagnose and treat ADHD in adults and children aged six and over.
The move comes amid growing demand for ADHD assessments across Victoria, with long wait times and significant out-of-pocket costs often cited as barriers to care. Comprehensive assessments can cost more than $2,000, while some patients face waits of six to 12 months before seeing a specialist.
For Wyndham families, where rapid population growth continues to place pressure on healthcare services, the changes could provide an alternative pathway to assessment and treatment closer to home.
The Victorian Government says the training program is designed to expand the number of healthcare professionals able to provide ADHD care, reducing reliance on specialist services such as psychiatry and paediatrics.
It is estimated up to 163,000 Victorian children and 320,000 adults may be living with ADHD.
The first cohort of GPs is expected to begin training in September, with the new model set to gradually roll out as more doctors complete the program.
