Young patients across the Hunter and New England with have access to increased support for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with the establishment of a new clinic in Newcastle.
Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said the new clinic will increase access for children between ages 6 and 12 to timely ADHD diagnoses and treatment.
“ADHD affects around 1 in 20 children throughout NSW and we know early diagnosis and management ensures the best health and social outcomes,” Mr Park said.
“What is great about this new service is it will take pressure off the general paediatric waitlist and ensure children receive specialised care which can be fed back to the patient’s family doctor.
“This clinic builds on the successful ADHD shared-care model, which ensures ongoing management between a paediatrician and the patient’s regular GP.
“Patients will be able to see their regular GP for monitoring and prescriptions rather than travel to a hospital’s outpatient service every six months, which as we know can be a significant barrier for our rural patients.”
Hunter New England Local Health District Executive Director for Children, Young People and Families, Dr Paul Craven said while the clinic is physically located in Newcastle, the service is available to support regional and rural patients virtually who are already seeing a public paediatrician.
“We work with the patient, their family and support networks, as well as a team of clinicians to provide individualised assessment and diagnosis before aiming to share care with the family GP and local specialist,” Dr Craven said.
“It allows patients to stay closer to home for their follow-up care, which is particularly important for our regional and rural patients and will allow families to continue building strong relationships with their existing GPs.
“As the service grows, we’ll also look to provide outreach clinics to areas where there is the greatest need and will continue to leverage our growing telehealth and virtual care offerings when appropriate.”
The clinic’s multidisciplinary team of paediatricians, as well as a psychologist, clinical nurse consultant, pharmacist, Aboriginal health worker, shared care coordinator and administration staff have transformed the clinical space into a warm and inviting home-like environment.
Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery welcomed the initiative.
“This is an amazing new clinic which will not only benefit young people diagnosed with ADHD who live in Newcastle, but those in the Hunter and New England regions.”
Eligible patients who have been referred to the District’s existing general paediatric waitlist will be accepted and contacted by the clinic to book in an appointment. The clinic does not currently accept direct referrals.
The establishment of this ADHD clinic has been made possible from a $7.7 million investment over four years from NSW Government to enhance ADHD services in regional NSW. Hunter New England Local Health District and Western NSW Local Health District will run these new clinics as pilots for the next two years.