Wednesday, 4 March 2026

 Anthony CIANFLONE (Pascoe Vale) (14:34): (1539) My constituency questions is for the Minister for Health. How will the Victorian Labor government’s commitments to improve access to ADHD diagnosis and treatment help improve the health and wellbeing of locals and save local families and households time and money? ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how the brain regulates attention, impulse and activity levels, and how someone focuses, organises, tasks, managers, and controls those impulses. ADHD is generally divided into three groups: inattentive type, hyperactive–impulsive type and combined type. ADHD is linked to differences in brain development and dopamine regulation, and treatment can include behavioural strategies, educational support and sometimes medication. Across Victoria ADHD affects 480,000 people – 320,000 adults and 163,000 children – but of course we know that accessing diagnosis and treatment for ADHD is so difficult for so many people. It costs time and money and can take around 12 months for the process and $2000 out of pocket. That is why we are making those changes to allow GPs to safely diagnose, treat and prescribe medication for ADHD for children over six and support families through the virtual emergency department.