The ACT Health pilot program, beginning in six months, hopes to reduce the number of Canberrans facing lengthy waits for an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnosis and those having to travel interstate for quicker access to care.
Deraine Jackson says finding a Canberra specialist to assess her child Phoebe with ADHD was incredibly difficult.ACT Health will soon roll out a pilot program allowing select Canberra general practitioner s to diagnose ADHD and prescribe appropriate medication.
"That was so amazing to realise that it wasn't that I couldn't do work, I just needed a different environment." "I have spent eight months making phone calls, trying to get in, sending emails — and they've either not got back or their books are closed or they only do under-18s," Ms Jackson said. As for Ms Jackson, the single mother doesn't understand why such a common condition is so hard and expensive to diagnose and treat.she said.
"We know there are a lot of people that are really concerned about the access to diagnosis and the access to prescriptions for ADHD,""So, we're really mindful that we need to do something to address the issues that are out there." Canberra GPs already have some prescribing arrangements, which allow them to prescribe ADHD medication for adolescents for two years and adults for three years, as recommended by a specialist.Dr Cidoni said.
"A smaller proportion in the diagnosing and treatment arm, and then a larger proportion in the prescribing arm. Dr Bland said every aspect of life is impacted for a child living with undiagnosed ADHD, especially their education and self-esteem, plus the pressure on parents can lead to family breakdown."For parents, it's one thing to not know what they can do for their children but it's another to know it's right there, help is available, a diagnosis is available and all the support that comes with it, but they can't access it," Dr Band said.
"We are seeing an increase in young people and adults coming in to have discussions about whether they might have ADHD and it's really important they access care in a timely manner," Dr Aust said. But she warned potential patients not to expect a diagnosis within a standard quarter-hour consultation."It's not going to be a case of booking the 15-minute appointment and coming in and walking out with a diagnosis — it will still take time and patience, and we may need to try a few things before we get it right.Potential patients have been warned not to expect an ADHD diagnosis within a 15-minute GP appointment.
Canberra Local Stories Stateline ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnose Diagnosis Neurodivergence Neurodiversity Medication Phoebe Jackson Deranie Jackson Psychologist Psychiatrist Prescribe Medicine Pilot Program Specialist GP General Practitioner Chief Dr Anthony Cidoni Access Improve Dr Kerrie Aust Australian Medical Association Paediatrician Dr Kim Bland
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