- Sixty-four Western Australian general practitioners have completed specialist ADHD training
- $1.3 million election commitment delivered by Cook Labor Government
- Program improving access to ADHD care particularly in country communities
- More ADHD GP training opportunities on track to be offered in the coming months
- ADHD WA delivering expanded wraparound support services for families
The Cook Labor Government’s landmark ADHD reforms are improving access to care for Western Australian families, with 64 General Practitioners (GPs) now having completed specialist training.
The ADHD GP Training Program was established through a $1.3 million election commitment and developed by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners in partnership with the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association, with oversight from WA Health.
Once authorised by the Department of Health, trained GPs can assess, treat and provide ongoing management for patients aged 10 years and older with uncomplicated ADHD. This will help reduce reliance on specialist services and improve access to timely care.
This initiative reflects the Cook Labor Government’s ongoing commitment to improving specialist healthcare across Western Australia, ensuring children and families in rural, remote and underserved communities get the care they need, no matter where they live.
More than a third of the newly trained GPs are based in regional and rural WA.
Strong clinical safeguards remain a focal point for the program’s model of care, and patients that present with more complex needs will continue to be referred to the paediatricians and psychiatrists.
Following a strong interest from GPs across Western Australia, additional training opportunities are on track to become available in the coming months.
The Cook Labor Government is also supporting children, adolescents and families through expanded ADHD WA wraparound services.
Funded through a $1.2 million investment, the services provide practical support for children and adolescents with diagnosed or suspected ADHD, as well as their parents and carers.
Services include a State-wide telephone and webchat information service providing information about ADHD and guidance on non-medication supports, community walk-in enquiry and service navigation support, group therapy programs, school-based programs, and peer support groups for people affected by ADHD.
A list of trained ADHD GPs and information about accessing ADHD services is available online .
As stated by Health Minister Meredith Hammat:
“I know a lot of Western Australians will benefit from this significant step forward in healthcare access.
“We’re delivering our election commitment, and there are now 64 GPs who are trained to diagnose, treat and manage ADHD for Western Australians aged 10 years and older.
“We’re helping more families access timely assessment, treatment and support closer to home, and I look forward to all of these upskilled GPs making a difference in their Western Australian communities.
“We know some families have faced long wait times and barriers accessing ADHD care, particularly in areas with limited specialist availability.
“This program is about reducing those barriers in a safe way so more Western Australians can access timely care, and we can free up specialists to deal with more complex cases.
“Together with expanded ADHD WA wraparound services, we’re putting WA first by ensuring children, young people and families can access the information, support and care they need throughout their ADHD journey.”
