CHILDREN between the ages of six and 12 in Moree and the north-west and New England regions will soon have increased access to support for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), thanks to a new outreach service headed to Moree Hospital.
A team of two paediatricians, a clinical nurse consultant, and shared care coordinator from John Hunter Children Hospital’s ADHD Clinic, supported by not-for-profit transport organisation Little Wings, will offer an initial one-day clinic on November 5, with more visits to Moree planned in the coming months.
Eligible patients on Moree Hospital’s existing general paediatric waitlist have been contacted to book in an appointment at the outreach clinic, with children who have been waiting the longest given priority.
The paediatricians will provide individualised assessment and diagnosis before sharing a care plan with the patient’s family GP, which may include follow-up appointments with the clinic’s multidisciplinary team via telehealth.
This means patients won’t need to travel long distances to a hospital outpatient service for regular monitoring and prescriptions.
The clinic does not accept direct referrals, and families seeking an ADHD assessment for their child should continue to be referred to their local general paediatric service.
The establishment of this ADHD outreach clinic in Moree is part of a $7.7 million investment from the NSW Government to enhance ADHD services in regional NSW.
Since launching in Newcastle in October 2023, the service has treated more than 100 children, including at other recently established outreach clinics in Tamworth and Muswellbrook.
Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said he was thrilled to see the ADHD service continuing to grow with the establishment of outreach clinics to areas where there is the greatest need, including children living in Moree and surrounding areas.
“ADHD affects around one in 20 children throughout NSW and we know early diagnosis and management ensures the best health and social outcomes,” Mr Park said.
“This outreach clinic builds on the successful ADHD shared-care model, which ensures ongoing management between a paediatrician and the patient’s regular GP.”
Hunter New England Local Health District executive director for children, young people and families, Dr Paul Craven said two paediatricians will meet and assess 10 children in the first outreach clinic to Moree, with children who have been waiting the longest being given priority.
“Ongoing support for the patient and their family will be provided by the clinic’s multidisciplinary team via telehealth, which includes a psychologist, clinical nurse consultant, pharmacist, and social worker, in co-ordination with the family’s GP,” Dr Craven said.
Little Wings chief executive officer, Clare Pearson, said her organisation provides free air and ground transport for city-based medical specialists, ensuring accessible and localised healthcare in regional locations across NSW wherever possible.
“We are so proud to be partnered with John Hunter Children’s Hospital on this incredibly important project, working together to transform children’s health now and into the future,” she said.
