Diagnosis and treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Te Whatu Ora released a new national framework for the diagnosis and treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Aotearoa New Zealand in July 2025. These changes, effective from February 2026, aim to improve access to care while ensuring that ADHD assessments and prescribing are safe, evidence-based, and consistent nationwide.

Media coverage and public discussions have led to confusion regarding these changes. Many have interpreted the announcement as allowing a quick assessment and stimulant medication prescription from their regular GP.

This post is to advise what the GPs at the Papanui Medical Centre will be able to do:

From February 2026, GPs will be able to continue prescribing ADHD medication in certain circumstances, provided the following conditions are met:

• The diagnosis was made by an ADHD-trained prescriber (e.g., a psychiatrist, pediatrician, or qualified GP or NP).

•  A treatment plan, including appropriate medications, has been established by the diagnosing clinician.

• The GP has received a handover plan from the diagnosing prescriber. This plan must include sufficient information for safe ongoing prescribing and monitoring.

• GP’s will also prescribe a new stimulant with the agreement of a pediatrician or psychiatrist

At the current time none of the GPs at Papanui Medical Centre have plans to carry out ADHD assessments given they haven’t undertaking further training in this area.

We will continue with our current practice and will provide patients with infromation and referrals to external providers of these services.