Psychiatrists are warning that GPs need extra training to manage ADHD safely, following the decision to let all Queensland GPs diagnose ADHD and initiate treatment.

While NSW and WA will allow GPs to prescribe ADHD drugs after a training course, the Queensland Government announced this month that any GP could formally diagnose and prescribe for ADHD in adult patients from 1 December.

On Friday, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) published a new position statement backing the NSW and WA approach of mandatory training.

“RANZCP supports expanded GP roles with mandatory accredited training and CPD including modules in comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, in which ADHD assessments sit, as well as appropriate governance structures,” the statement said.