Changes Made to ADHD Care in Canberra to Increase Patient Choice
Umesh Dhakal
KNA- Canberra
Changes have been made in Canberra to give residents more choice and support in the treatment and ongoing care of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
In Stage 1, ADHD medicines can be prescribed and adjusted by general practitioners (GPs) who have completed specific training. Patients aged six years and older, with an existing ADHD diagnosis and who are stable on their medication, can have doses changed without specialist review. The frequency of specialist reviews will be decided jointly by the GP and patient.
Patients who are not yet stable, require a change in medicine type, or are on higher doses will continue to be supported by specialists. All prescriptions will be reviewed using Canberra Script, the ACT’s real-time prescription monitoring system, to reduce the risk of harm from medicine interactions.
In Stage 2, which is planned for later in 2026, ADHD may be diagnosed and treatment started by GPs who complete additional training. Patients with complex conditions may still be referred to specialists or allied health professionals.
All GPs prescribing ADHD medicines under these changes are required to ensure that treatment remains safe and effective, and collaboration with specialists and allied health professionals will continue where necessary. Patients are encouraged to ask their GP whether the additional training has been completed.
: ACT Government Health & Community Services
Learn more about the changes: https://www.act.gov.au/…/mental…/adhd-care-in-the-act
