Allowing GPs to diagnose and initiate medications for ADHD would stop patients languishing on psychiatry waitlists and save them hundreds of dollars in specialist fees, the RACGP says.

Patients would also benefit from nationally consistent rules on ADHD management that include GPs on the list of clinicians authorised to prescribe stimulant medications, according to the college.

“Access to ADHD diagnosis is inadequate and unaffordable for too many patients,” said RACGP president Dr Nicole Higgins.

In a submission to a Senate inquiry on ADHD services, the RACGP said long waitlists, excessive costs for specialist assessments, and inconsistent state and territory regulations were the major barriers to timely diagnosis and treatment.