Nearly 300 NSW GPs Trained to Diagnose and Treat ADHD
Places named in this headline: New South Wales, Australia
Nearly 300 general practitioners across New South Wales have completed endorsed prescriber training allowing them to assess, diagnose, and initiate medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the NSW Government announced.
The training rollout represents the second stage of state healthcare reforms intended to reduce costs and wait times associated with accessing non-GP specialists, such as psychiatrists and paediatricians. A further 300 GPs are scheduled to begin the training program next month.
Under the program, GP endorsed prescribers can start prescribing ADHD medication and will continue to make specialist referrals and escalate care when necessary. These GPs will receive clinical support from specialist psychiatrists and paediatricians via the Virtual Psychiatry Hub and the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network.
According to the NSW Government, the first stage of the reforms enabled more than 1,675 GPs to act as continuation prescribers, allowing over 25,000 individuals to fill more than 130,000 scripts without requiring ongoing visits to specialists.
The initiative is backed by an $11.7 million allocation in the 2026–27 NSW Budget. This funding includes $2.7 million to support GP training, $1.5 million to provide up to 2,500 free GP ADHD assessments, $5.7 million for specialist clinical support services, and $1.8 million for allied health support and reform uptake.
NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park stated that the initial cohort of 300 trained GPs was prioritised for rural and regional communities, where access to diagnostic services has historically been more limited. Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson noted that the reforms aim to make diagnosis and treatment more accessible and affordable regardless of geographic location or financial status.
Dr Rebekah Hoffman, NSW and ACT Chair of the Royal Australian College of GPs, welcomed the milestone, noting that GPs are well-positioned to deliver holistic care alongside medication when appropriate.
The government stated that the locations of GP endorsed prescribers will be published on the Healthdirect website starting next month.
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