❓ Ms. Lai asks about improvements to ADHD care access. Minister Hammat details a $1.3M GP training program and $1.2M for ADHD WA, highlighting government commitment and criticising opposition claims.
AnsweredQoN 274Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder—General
practitioners
274. Ms Sook Yee Lai to
the Minister for Health:
I refer to the Cook
Labor government's commitment to making Western Australia the healthiest state
in the nation and providing accessible health care for all.
(1) Can the minister update the house on how this
government is improving access to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder care
for Western Australians?
(2) Can the minister advise the house on what
these reforms mean for WA families?
practitioners
274. Ms Sook Yee Lai to
the Minister for Health:
I refer to the Cook
Labor government's commitment to making Western Australia the healthiest state
in the nation and providing accessible health care for all.
(1) Can the minister update the house on how this
government is improving access to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder care
for Western Australians?
(2) Can the minister advise the house on what
these reforms mean for WA families?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I thank the member for the
question. As the member mentioned, our government is delivering new reforms to
improve access for families to ADHD care. This was announced during the
election and it was a very popular election commitment of the Cook Labor
government. We know that people across Western Australia are very excited about
this important reform.
Through this budget, we are
investing $1.3 million in the ADHD GP program. In partnership with the Royal
Australian College of General Practitioners, we are delivering training for general
practitioners so that they will be able to diagnose ADHD and prescribe
medication for patients over the age of 10. It is expected that the first group
of GPs will be trained by the end of 2026, making it easier for families to get
the support they need. This is just another way our government is delivering
access to care for WA patients.
To complement that, the member
will be pleased to know we are also delivering $1.2 million to ADHD WA to
expand its services. It offers families supports such as counselling, peer
support, coaching and non-medication options. We are ensuring that we are
breaking down barriers for families and delivering support.
Yesterday, during debate, the
member for Vasse claimed that the opposition could not find funding for this
announcement in the budget.
Ms Libby Mettam interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Vasse!
Ms Meredith Hammat: I appreciate that maybe the member for Vasse had not had time to digest all of
the budget—
Ms Libby Mettam interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Vasse.
Ms Meredith Hammat: And maybe they had not done their
research. We put out a press release yesterday morning announcing exactly this
commitment.
Ms Libby Mettam interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Vasse! Please stop your
interjections. This is not your question.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Member! Minister, just wait. Treasurer!
Member! Carry on, minister.
Ms Meredith Hammat: Not only had we done that, but
also the RACGP had released a statement welcoming our commitment. I really look
forward to the member for Vasse and both the opposition parties throwing their
support behind this important initiative. This is one of the many supports that—
The Speaker: Member for Vasse, I am calling you for
the first time.
Ms Meredith Hammat: This is one of the many things
that our government is doing to ensure that we are delivering care for Western
Australians—care in the community, care closer to home and care where
they need it because—
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members! Member for Central Wheatbelt!
Ms Meredith Hammat: This initiative is another way
that the Cook Labor government is delivering care for Western Australians—care
closer to home, care in the community, and care where they need it—because
our government is absolutely focused on delivering greater access to health care
for all Western Australians, no matter who they are or where they live.
Ms Libby Mettam interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Vasse!
question. As the member mentioned, our government is delivering new reforms to
improve access for families to ADHD care. This was announced during the
election and it was a very popular election commitment of the Cook Labor
government. We know that people across Western Australia are very excited about
this important reform.
Through this budget, we are
investing $1.3 million in the ADHD GP program. In partnership with the Royal
Australian College of General Practitioners, we are delivering training for general
practitioners so that they will be able to diagnose ADHD and prescribe
medication for patients over the age of 10. It is expected that the first group
of GPs will be trained by the end of 2026, making it easier for families to get
the support they need. This is just another way our government is delivering
access to care for WA patients.
To complement that, the member
will be pleased to know we are also delivering $1.2 million to ADHD WA to
expand its services. It offers families supports such as counselling, peer
support, coaching and non-medication options. We are ensuring that we are
breaking down barriers for families and delivering support.
Yesterday, during debate, the
member for Vasse claimed that the opposition could not find funding for this
announcement in the budget.
Ms Libby Mettam interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Vasse!
Ms Meredith Hammat: I appreciate that maybe the member for Vasse had not had time to digest all of
the budget—
Ms Libby Mettam interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Vasse.
Ms Meredith Hammat: And maybe they had not done their
research. We put out a press release yesterday morning announcing exactly this
commitment.
Ms Libby Mettam interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Vasse! Please stop your
interjections. This is not your question.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Member! Minister, just wait. Treasurer!
Member! Carry on, minister.
Ms Meredith Hammat: Not only had we done that, but
also the RACGP had released a statement welcoming our commitment. I really look
forward to the member for Vasse and both the opposition parties throwing their
support behind this important initiative. This is one of the many supports that—
The Speaker: Member for Vasse, I am calling you for
the first time.
Ms Meredith Hammat: This is one of the many things
that our government is doing to ensure that we are delivering care for Western
Australians—care in the community, care closer to home and care where
they need it because—
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members! Member for Central Wheatbelt!
Ms Meredith Hammat: This initiative is another way
that the Cook Labor government is delivering care for Western Australians—care
closer to home, care in the community, and care where they need it—because
our government is absolutely focused on delivering greater access to health care
for all Western Australians, no matter who they are or where they live.
Ms Libby Mettam interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Vasse!
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