WANTED: WILLING GPS IN METHADONE ROLE

GENERAL practitioners are being asked to prescribe methadone under a
program being run by the Hunter Centre for Health Advancement.

The centre's area manager Robyn Consadine said it was hoped doctors
could help boost the region's private provider numbers.

"We would like to work with general practitioners," she
said.

"They would be administering methadone only to small number of
patients."

The program began about a year ago and had trained a small number of
doctors.

It allowed clients to have other needs attended to while they were
with the doctor.

"We would like more general practitioners to take a more effective
approach," Ms Consadine said.

Ms Consadine acknowledged that some doctors needed to be encouraged to
participate.

"There is a need for education," she said.

"Some general practitioners are just reluctant to do
it."

Ms Consadine said the Hunter could also benefit from more places on
methadone programs.

"And we are aiming to increase the number of private providers," she
said.