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 are currently being trialled in Hunter New England Local Health District (LHD) and Western NSW LHD. The trial builds on the recommendations of the Review of Health Services for Children, Young People and Families within the NSW Health System (the Henry Review), which identifies the need for a new approach in the management of behavioural issues and ADHD.
The new multidisciplinary team (MDT) based models will provide dedicated behavioural issue and/or ADHD assessment and diagnosis services and enhanced shared-care with general practitioners (GPs). The model will focus paediatrician capacity where it provides most value in the patient journey, by optimising use of the skills of other clinicians. This will improve the timeliness of assessments and treatments for children and increase system capacity overall to see more children.
The project will include the development of educational resources for GPs and healthcare professionals to support the pilots and an independent evaluation will begin in mid-2023.
