❓ Dr. Walker asks about the timeline for releasing guidelines on specialist GP diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in WA, and seeks clarification on the government's definition of "specialist" in this context. The Minister's response outlines ongoing work with the RACGP to introduce a training program for GPs to prescribe ADHD medication and eventually diagnose/treat children over 10.
AnsweredQoN 268Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ADHD—GP diagnosis and treatment
268. Hon Dr Brian Walker to the parliamentary
secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I refer the minister
to the statement issued by the New South Wales government yesterday—that
is, the day before yesterday—announcing that it would join Queensland
and Western Australia in allowing at least some GPs to diagnose and treat patients with ADHD. I welcome the
fact that we appear to be leading the way here in the west in this regard.
(1) At what point are our local guidelines on specialist
GP diagnosis and treatment of ADHD likely to be released by the government so
that this important service can commence here in WA?
(2) What is the state government's definition of
"specialist" in this context, and how does it align, if at all, with
the current Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency use of the same
term?
268. Hon Dr Brian Walker to the parliamentary
secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I refer the minister
to the statement issued by the New South Wales government yesterday—that
is, the day before yesterday—announcing that it would join Queensland
and Western Australia in allowing at least some GPs to diagnose and treat patients with ADHD. I welcome the
fact that we appear to be leading the way here in the west in this regard.
(1) At what point are our local guidelines on specialist
GP diagnosis and treatment of ADHD likely to be released by the government so
that this important service can commence here in WA?
(2) What is the state government's definition of
"specialist" in this context, and how does it align, if at all, with
the current Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency use of the same
term?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following has been
provided by the Minister for Health.
(1)–(2) WA Health is continuing to work
with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners to support and
introduce a training program that will lead to increased scope for GPs to
prescribe ADHD medication, and in the future be certified to assess, diagnose
and treat children over 10 years of age with ADHD. "Specialist" in
this context refers to a specialist practitioner able to prescribe stimulant
medications in the Monitored Medicines Prescribing Code, consistent with the
Poisons and Medicines Regulations 2016.
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following has been
provided by the Minister for Health.
(1)–(2) WA Health is continuing to work
with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners to support and
introduce a training program that will lead to increased scope for GPs to
prescribe ADHD medication, and in the future be certified to assess, diagnose
and treat children over 10 years of age with ADHD. "Specialist" in
this context refers to a specialist practitioner able to prescribe stimulant
medications in the Monitored Medicines Prescribing Code, consistent with the
Poisons and Medicines Regulations 2016.
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