From February 1, GPs and nurse practitioners will be able to diagnose people with ADHD and prescribe them medication. Currently, only vocationally registered psychiatrists and paediatricians can start people on stimulant medicines to treat ADHD.

GPs are warning that the change will not be an instant solution for people seeking ADHD diagnosis or treatment. “It will be a slow burn, not a magic bullet to increase diagnoses,” says Angus Chambers, GP and chair of the General Practice Owners Association.

According to MedSafe, Pharmac and the Ministry of Health in a supplied information sheet, “Not all general practitioners and nurse practitioners will provide these services. It is expected that those with a specific interest in ADHD will take on this role. New ADHD services will develop gradually as clinicians build competence in ADHD care.”

ADHD services are also not included in core general practice funding, and costs will vary from practice to practice.

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