New ADHD specialist training, funded by the State Government, is expanding families’ access to treatment for the condition, with an Albany doctor already among the list of newly-trained professionals.

The State Government’s ADHD GP training program was originally a State election commitment in 2025, and has since been developed by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners in partnership with the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association.

The specialist training has been undertaken by 64 general practitioners around WA, with more than a third of them based in the regions and one of them in Albany — Pioneer Health’s Dr David Tadj.

Once authorised by the Department of Health, trained GPs can assess, treat and provide ongoing management for patients aged 10 years and older with uncomplicated ADHD.

Patients that present with more complex needs will still be referred to more specialised paediatricians and psychiatrists, with the State Government stressing that clinical benchmarks would be a focus of the new model of care for patients.

The main aim of the training program was to give better access to care, so families no longer had to join waitlists for specialists and those living in rural or remote communities can get the treatment they need, no matter where they live.

WA Health Minister Meredith Hammat said a lot of West Australian families would benefit from the program.

“We’re helping more families access timely assessment, treatment and support closer to home, and I look forward to all of these upskilled GPs making a difference in their Western Australian communities,” she said.

“We know some families have faced long wait times and barriers accessing ADHD care, particularly in areas with limited specialist availability.

“This program is about reducing those barriers in a safe way so more Western Australians can access timely care, and we can free up specialists to deal with more complex cases.”

Alongside the new GP training program, the Government is also funding expanded wraparound services for ADHD across WA.

A further $1.2 million in funding will see services including a Statewide phone and webchat information service available for information about ADHD and guidance for non-medication support systems, group therapy programs, school-based programs and peer support groups for those affected by ADHD.