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South-western and western Sydney GPs receive ADHD Masterclass hosted by NSW Health and RDN Health
29th May 2026
By Theo Clark
On Saturday, 23 May, the NSW Ministry of Health and RDN Health partnered to deliver an interactive masterclass on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with a focus on GPs working across south-western Sydney and western Sydney.
Hosted at the Mercure Sydney Liverpool, the masterclass brought together leading clinical experts and local GPs as part of a concerted effort to strengthen the management of ADHD in primary care in light of recent ADHD reforms. Around 120 GPs registered for the event.
“We’re thrilled to see such strong interest in the ADHD reforms from general practitioners (GPs) across South West and Western Sydney,” said Dr Kerry Chant, Deputy Secretary Population and Public Health & Chief Health Officer. “We’ve heard from many families about how the reforms have made care for their children much more accessible and often closer to home.
“It’s also great to see GPs putting up their hands to train to become endorsed prescribers, enabling them to diagnose and initiate ADHD medicines when required. We’re hopeful these reforms will start to turn the dial for a part of Sydney that has significant demand for these services, and its thanks to GPs who are willing to be involved,” Dr Chant said.
“ADHD is everywhere. In every society, at every level,” explains A/Prof John Kramer OAM, who presented on ADHD fundamentals and Medicare billing for RDN Health during the masterclass. “GPs are used to managing chronic conditions; we do it in every other system and disease at all ages – diabetes, asthma, and so forth – ADHD is a long-term condition and needs great management,” he says.
“[ADHD] is a condition with both strengths and weaknesses, and one of the jobs for doctors identifying it is to highlight the strengths of the individual, as well as the challenges.”
The program included a briefing on the ADHD reforms in NSW from Dr Sarah Khanlari, Public Health Physician, Office of the Deputy Secretary Population and Public Health and Chief Health Officer, NSW Ministry of Health.
Sydney Local Health District (LHD) Community Paediatrician, Dr Santuri Rungan, presented on Paediatric ADHD management, while Scientia Professor Valsamma Eapen, Chair of Infant, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UNSW & Head of Academic Unit of Child Psychiatry, South Western Sydney LHD presented on ADHD & mental health co-morbidities.
Professor Shanti Raman, Co-Director - Community Paediatrics, South Western Sydney LHD, presented on addressing complex trauma and family and psychosocial risks in children/young people. The highly engaged audience of GPs from across southwestern Sydney took full advantage of the opportunity to ask questions about the case studies and presentations.
“It was a privilege to attend the RDN Health ADHD Masterclass,” said Dr Sara Yusuf, GP Leader at WentWest Primary Health Network. “A/Prof Kramer provided an excellent viewpoint highlighting the need to reframe ADHD in terms of strengths and challenges. In particular focusing on the positive traits the individuals have, and also the challenges it presents in interpersonal relationships and social settings.
“Dr Rungan and Prof Eapen discussed key points to assessment and explored the links and overlap with other conditions including ODD, OCD, and ASD. Through case studies we learnt essential tips and tricks for prescribing stimulants, non-stimulants, and adjuncts, and ways of managing common side effects.
“Having completed this program as an endorsed course for ‘Continuing prescriber’ rights with the NSW Ministry of Health, I look forward to being able to bridge the gap and provide this much needed service to my patients,” Dr Yusuf said.
Like Rural Doctors Network, RDN Health is a social enterprise of RDN - The Charity for Health Access. In welcoming participants to the event, RDN Chief – Health Access Enterprises, Amy Brown, spoke of RDN’s commitment to under-resourced communities in both city and bush.
“While RDN has deep roots in rural and regional communities, we are increasingly focused on supporting communities and clinicians wherever there is a need — and doing so in a way that builds on our experience, partnerships and reputation,” Ms Brown said. “We are also very pleased to be delivering this Masterclass in partnership with the NSW Ministry of Health.
“I’d particularly like to acknowledge the Ministry’s engagement, support, and trust in partnering with us to help implement a significant policy priority. That trust reflects the strength of the relationship, and a shared commitment to improving access to care for patients across NSW.”
“We’ve already seen strong demand and engagement through this program — with GPs right across the state stepping forward to build capability in this area.”
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