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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-06-26 Daily Xml
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Ms THOMPSON (Davenport) (14:50): My question is to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Can the minister inform the house how the government is improving access to treatment for South Australians with ADHD?

The Hon. C.J. PICTON (Kaurna—Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:50): I thank the member for Davenport for her question and note her strong interest in this, and I think she's had significant interest from members in her community. Last week, I was joined by the member for Adelaide, who also has a strong interest in this matter, as well as the Mental Health Commissioner, Taimi Allan, and the Chair of the South Australian college of general practitioners, Dr Sian Goodson, to make an announcement in terms of how we are expanding the ability for South Australians to be able to access care for ADHD.

At the moment, it is very difficult for people to be able to access care for ADHD in South Australia. It is, unfortunately, a very expensive exercise, and people can wait a very long period of time to be able to access either a psychiatrist or a paediatrician to get a diagnosis for ADHD. People are paying in excess of $1,500, sometimes $2,000 or $3,000, to be able to do that. It clearly means that, for a whole range of people, to get that appropriate health care, it is out of reach for them financially to be able to do so. We do not want to have a situation here in South Australia where appropriate health care is determined by people's bank balance rather than their need for that health care.

We have been working with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners in terms of how we can make sure our general practitioners are operating at the top of their scope of practice and are able to assist South Australians who have ADHD to have diagnosis and to get the appropriate treatment. This is something that other states have been looking at as well. We have announced that, from next year, GPs who have appropriate training and expertise in this area will be able to undertake that assessment. This is going to mean a big difference for people who live in regional South Australia, in outer suburbs and people who don't have thousands and thousands of dollars to be able to get that appropriate diagnosis and care.

Since we made that announcement on Friday, the response that we have had has been overwhelmingly positive. We have been inundated with comments from the community in terms of people talking about their stories of how difficult it has been and what a difference this would make for them. I would like to read out a couple of those from South Australians. Elise said:

This is truly wonderful. It is incredibly expensive and laborious to get diagnosed and treated a couple of years ago. It nearly broke me pursuing the help I needed.

Susan said:

This will improve many lives. I have lived experience of a family member going from out of control to getting right back on track and in control of their life again. Affordable and timely diagnosis and treatment will help so many.

Karen said:

This is amazing news. I am so happy to hear this [because] I have been waiting over 2 years to see a paediatrician.

From Judy:

Thank goodness—the wait and cost has been abominable.

From Renee:

This could change my life. Thank you. There is nothing worse than feeling helpless. Knowing you need support, but not having the funds for diagnosis and care. $1400 for an adult assessment is out of reach for struggling families. Finally I can see light at the end of the tunnel.

We even had the Mental Health Commissioner, Taimi Allan, who does a wonderful job, speaking about her experience and her personal journey with ADHD, and her family members as well, and what a difference it has made for her and her family. We will be working with the College of GPs as well as, of course, with the College of Psychiatrists and the College of Physicians in terms of making sure that we have the training program right for GPs to do this. We have incredible general practitioners here in South Australia who will be able to provide the appropriate care for people, to make sure they can get that in a more timely way, make sure they can get it in an affordable way, and of course safely as well, and to make a difference to people's lives across the state.

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