AAPi's recommendations to the upcoming ADHD senate enquiry were included in an exclusive story in the Sunday Telegraph on the weekend. Our call to enable psychologists to conduct assessments for ADHD diagnosis in partnership with GPs for medication prescription as well as including ADHD under the NDIS. Also included in the article were these AAPi calls:
- Improving public sector capacity to diagnose, treat, and provide ongoing care to people with ADHD
- All psychiatrists to receive training in ADHD diagnosis and treatment
- General practitioners to be allowed to prescribe ADHD medication alongside psychiatrists and paediatricians.
"Many experts are raising concerns about the impacts of untreated ADHD. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists estimates ADHD to be the most common neuro- development disorder, costing the Australian economy $20.4 billion in lost productivity and health sector expenditure," the story said.
Other key recommendations in AAPi’s submission included:
- ADHD Assessment is not affordable for many families and individuals seeking diagnosis due to a lack of Government financial support either through Medicare rebates, publicly funded assessments, and requirements for specialist medical practitioners such as paediatricians and psychiatrists to enable stimulant prescription or service access within many systems. This disproportionately affects those in rural and remote regions, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and those on lower incomes.
- Clients also face long wait times for assessments. 12-month+ waiting lists are the norm in many areas. This is problematic as early diagnosis and treatment are pivotal. We leave struggling individuals and families waiting far too long without the help they need.
- There are significant difficulties accessing support following a diagnosis due to a lack of providers in rural and remote regions, long waiting times to see psychologists and other specialist health professionals, and significant affordability issues due to low Medicare rebates for psychologists. AAPi is urging the Government to increase the Medicare rebate for psychologists to $150 and introduce a Medicare rebate for provisional psychologists so that more clients can afford treatment.
- AAPi has also recommended an increase in the number of psychologists through increasing Commonwealth-supported places at universities each year and through initiatives that support the retention of the current workforce, which is currently under significant stress and experiencing burnout.
- AAPi also advocates for changes so that stimulant medication may be able to be prescribed by a client’s treating GP in partnership with a psychologist who can provide psychometric assessments to confirm or rule out ADHD as the cause of difficulties for the individual. Medicare rebates must be available to support this assessment to occur with a psychologist. This would significantly reduce access barriers and ensure that these medications are prescribed safely and only when necessary.
- AAPi recommends that the NDIS recognises ADHD as a primary disability.
- The cost of failing to make these changes and providing increased support levels is significant. From educational and occupational challenges, decreased mental health and well-being, increased stress and strain on families and relationships, criminal justice involvement, and increased healthcare utilisation.
- Providing these increased supports will result in significant cost saving over time and improve the lives of thousands of people.