NSW Health is focused on improving access to diagnoses and treatment services for children with behavioural issues and/or ADHD in regional NSW.
Two new models of care were trialled in Hunter New England Local Health District (LHD) and Western NSW LHD. The trial built on the recommendations of the Review of Health Services for Children, Young People and Families within the NSW Health System (the Henry Review), which identified the need for a new approach in the management of behavioural issues and ADHD.
The new multidisciplinary team (MDT) based models provided dedicated behavioural issue and/or ADHD assessment and diagnosis services and enhanced shared-care with general practitioners (GPs). The model focused paediatrician capacity where it provided most value in the patient journey, by optimising use of the skills of other clinicians. This aimed to improve the timeliness of assessments and treatments for children and increase system capacity overall to see more children.
The project included the development of educational resources for GPs and healthcare professionals to support the pilots. An independent evaluation was completed in 2025: Evaluation Report - Model of care for management of children with behavioural issues and/or ADHD pilots.
