Tuesday, 9 September 2025

ADHD services

Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (18:57): (1933) My adjournment matter this evening is for the attention of the Minister for Health, and it is in relation to the current regulations governing the prescribing of ADHD medication for adults in Victoria. Recently I was contacted by a concerned mother, Louise, whose daughter has been diagnosed with ADHD and autism. She is in Melbourne studying; she is doing her first year of uni and works four days a week to support herself. Louise’s daughter requires medication to manage her condition, yet she has just spent two weeks without a prescription due to limitations on prescribing rules, which require an appointment with a psychiatrist. As we know, we have got a terrible wait time to see psychiatrists in this state. Often these psychiatrist appointments are booked out for months in advance. Louise’s daughter was left without a prescription for two weeks as a result of not being able to get in and see a psychiatrist to get a prescription. It left her with withdrawal symptoms, migraines and a significant decline in her ability to study and work.

In Victoria GPs can apply for a special permit to prescribe these medicines, but this application must be renewed every two years, often requiring prompting from the patient, which is something that can be particularly burdensome for people with ADHD. In New South Wales a GP can prescribe ADHD medication to an adult patient with a prior diagnosis made by paediatrician, psychologist or psychiatrist without the need for a special permit. As the case of Louise’s daughter highlights, the current system may place vulnerable young people at risk of serious deterioration of their mental health and impact their capacity to manage daily activities and responsibilities. The action I seek is for the minister to consider Louise’s request to look into making changes to ensure vulnerable Victorian adults with a diagnosis of ADHD can have better access to vital medication from a GP.