2023-11-06
The final report of the Senate inquiry into attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis and support services in Australia has been tabled in the Australian Senate.
Senator Jordon Steele-John proposed the ADHD inquiry, and it was established by the Senate in March 2023. The inquiry received over 700 submissions from individuals, community organisations and medical professionals.
The committee has made 15 recommendations for addressing access barriers to ADHD services with the chief recommendation being the development and implementation of a National ADHD Framework.
The report also recommends a suite of reforms relating to ADHD medication, including the expedited development of nationally consistent prescribing rules and reviews into the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Additional key recommendations include the development of a neurodiversity-affirming public health campaign; investment into ADHD support and advocacy; and further research into ADHD.
While the Australian Greens welcomed and agreed with the 15 recommendations contained in the committee’s report, they submitted additional comments to make further recommendations to better reflect the severity of the issues and challenges brought forward by the ADHD community.
The Australia Greens were disappointed that the Labor and Liberal Members of the Committee did not meet the full scope of the ADHD and medical communities’ demands – including the establishment of a Minister for Disability and the inclusion of ADHD on NDIS Access Lists A and B.
The Greens will now seek a commitment from the Albanese Government to implement the report’s recommendations.
Lines attributable to Senator Jordon Steele-John, Australian Greens spokesperson on Disability Services, Health and Mental Health:
“Today’s release of the ADHD inquiry’s final report is a historic acknowledgement of the reality of life for the one million Australians with ADHD.
“For the first time, it indicates a willingness by our decision-makers to address the barriers to ADHD care in this country – like lengthy wait times, high costs and poor experiences with medical professionals – as well as an openness to centring people with lived experience in that process.
“The Australian Government now have a roadmap of tangible, and implementable recommendations that would improve the lives of ADHDers including bringing down the cost of appointments, reducing wait times and standardising access to medication across the country.
“My excitement is tempered by the disappointment that the Labor and Liberal parties failed to include the full breadth of their demands in the final recommendations. It is clear the community want a coordinated response and they want greater supports, including through the NDIS.
“Notably, the major parties failed to support a recommendation relating to the establishment of a Minister for Disability to coordinate the response, and failed to recommend the inclusion of ADHD on NDIS Access Lists A and B.
“I am incredibly proud of what the Greens and the incredible ADHD community have achieved together, and I urge the Albanese Government to do the right thing and implement the recommendations as a matter of urgency.
Lines attributable to Senator Janet Rice:
“I am incredibly proud to have been Chair of this Inquiry, and I feel very privileged to table the committee’s consensus report in Parliament.
“I have been deeply moved by the personal experiences and openness of the hundreds of people who submitted and the witnesses who shared their ADHD experiences.
“This inquiry made clear that our current systems are failing to care for and adequately support people with ADHD. Without Jordon and his team’s tireless effort, this inquiry would have never happened and we would have never had this opportunity to closely engage with and listen to the ADHD community.
“The Greens recognise that the current situation for people with ADHD is grossly insufficient and, as healthcare professionals stated in the inquiry, is a public healthcare emergency.
"While we support the recommendations of the committee’s report, ultimately we do not think they go far enough to address the severity of the issues. For the health and wellbeing of the ADHD community in Australia – Labor must step up and act.
“The Greens recommendations along with those put forward by this inquiry provide a clear framework for change to better support people with ADHD receive the care they need and deserve.”