ADHD prescribing for GPs a optimistic change for sufferers Supporting Queensland docs, creating higher well being

TRANSCRIPT

17 NOVEMBER 2025

ADHD prescribing for GPs a optimistic change for grownup sufferers

AMA Queensland President Dr Nick Yim spoke to ABC Sunshine Coast about 4BC radio concerning the entry this variation will give Queenslanders with ADHD, significantly these in regional and rural areas.

Transcript: AMA Queensland President, Dr Nick Yim, ABC Sunshine Coast, Drive with Annie Gaffney, Monday 17 November 2025

Subject: ADHD prescribing

ANNIE GAFFNEY: The time to get an ADHD analysis could be as much as two years, with the bulk ready 5 months. Now, to fight this, GPs in Queensland will quickly be given the power to diagnose ADHD in adults and prescribe medicine. It’s one thing that they have been capable of for folks below 18 for a few years, however the Australian-first modifications come into impact on December 1st. Dr Nick Yim is a Harvey Bay-based GP and the President of the Australian Medical Association Queensland. Nick, good to have you ever with us this afternoon. How massive a win is that this for GPs to have the ability to diagnose adults now who consider they could have ADHD?

DR NICK YIM: Good afternoon, Annie. I believe extra importantly, this can be a actually optimistic step for sufferers in the neighborhood. We know throughout the state of Queensland and throughout Australia there was challenges of entry to see psychiatrists. As you alluded to GPs have already been diagnosing and prescribing for youngsters, and GPs are in the perfect place to take this subsequent step to prescribing adults and doing so in a protected matter.

ANNIE GAFFNEY: For a GP to prescribe and diagnose ADHD, they’re going to want some specialist coaching. What will that entail?

DR NICK YIM: In Queensland from the first of December, there is no such thing as a extra coaching necessities. However, we all know that many GPs, they are going to undertake extra coaching by way of the school with modules. We additionally know presently many GPs have already undertaken that coaching. So I’m asking the neighborhood simply to be affected person on this house. Obviously, 1st of December is barely across the nook,.so some sufferers could have to be unreferred nonetheless, however on the similar time, it is a actually nice step for Queenslanders.

ANNIE GAFFNEY: I’ve heard of some adults ready as much as 18 months to 2 years to see a psychiatrist. I imply, how massive a distinction is that this going to make for folks in search of a analysis and even needing refills on their prescriptions?

DR NICK YIM: I believe that is going to make an enormous distinction, specifically for sufferers dwelling in regional, rural and distant Queensland. We know that challenges of a decentralised state and such an enormous state like Queensland, entry could be fairly tough. But we additionally should do not forget that ADHD administration is not only about prescription medicine. It additionally requires all of the non-medical approaches comparable to psychology, social staff, and all helps in place of their city.

ANNIE GAFFNEY: Could these modifications result in an over-diagnosis of ADHD, do you consider?

DR NICK YIM: I believe the important thing factor right here is that the Queensland GPs, they are going to be following the established nationwide pointers for ADHD prescribing and administration. These pointers had been shaped along side psychiatrists and in addition paediatricians. So that is one thing the place we already know that GPs work very nicely in a collaborative method. And clearly in these advanced instances or unsure instances, they might be referred to a psychiatrist.

ANNIE GAFFNEY: There’s already lots of stress on GPs, Nick, with lengthy wait instances and lack of bulk billing. How will this variation have an effect on the trade, do you assume?

DR NICK YIM: I believe that is going to be a extremely optimistic change. We know that almost all of sufferers, they contact base with their GPs regularly. GPs will know that particular person’s historical past nicely or their different medical situations and in addition their social scenario. They’re nicely positioned to diagnose, prescribe and and handle within the house.

ANNIE GAFFNEY: Last Friday on this system we had been talking about some new figures that had been out round an elevated variety of poisonings in younger youngsters from ADHD medicine. What’s the tackle that by medicos like your self? How can we keep away from that with younger youngsters? It appeared to centre round the truth that a lot smaller doses had been required and adults needed to reduce up these capsules, when you like, to supply quarter doses of the prescribed medicine coming in a pill that was a lot bigger than was required. What ought to occur on this this house of ADHD medicine, significantly for younger youngsters?

DR NICK YIM: This is a extremely difficult house. Often when mother and father or caregivers want to separate dosing, that is usually a results of medicine shortages across the nation and the world. So it’s a advanced situation the place we proceed to advocate for enough provides of medicines. This is one thing that we have to look into, however on the similar time, that is the place GPs, specialists and in addition the pharmacists work actually intently collectively to make sure that we’re delivering medicine safely.

ANNIE GAFFNEY: Good to talk with you, Nick, as all the time. Thanks a lot.

DR NICK YIM: Thank you, Annie. 

Contact the AMA Queensland Media Team