GPs and NPs will soon be able to diagnose and treat ADHD. What does this mean for me?

You may have heard the awesome news that general practitioners (GPs, or family doctors) and nurse practitioners (NPs) will soon be able to diagnose and treat ADHD.

There’s a lot of speculation about what this means, and what will and won’t happen. So we thought we should clarify some points.

What changes are happening on February 1,  2026?

  1. GPs and NPs with specialised training will be able to provide accurate ADHD assessments for adults 18 and over.

  2. The GPs and NPs can then apply for (or make changes to) Pharmac’s Special Authority, giving the patient the ability to access ADHD medication prescriptions.

Is this a good thing?

Yes!

  • We are stoked there will be more access for people seeing ADHD assessments.

  • However, we are cautious because we know this will not fix all the problems.

Can any GP or NP assess for ADHD?

No.

  • Only a very limited number of GPs and NPs will be doing this work.

Will this reduce wait times?

A little.

  • We expect there will still be long wait times for assessment and diagnosis.

  • This will not be a normal GP appointment. Comprehensive assessments will likely take at least one hour to two hours, which may occur over multiple visits.

Will it reduce costs?

Maybe.

  • Payment will not be subsidised.

  • It will be up to clinics, or individual doctors and nurses to choose what they charge for an assessment.

  • We expect some will charge less than psychiatrists, but it will still be costly.

Why do GPs and NPs need specialised training?

While some GPs may choose to pursue this training, many have broad areas of interest and may not specialise in ADHD care. This training is designed to ensure they can:

  • Identify and assess symptoms accurately to enable a correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment…

    • because co-occurring conditions such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD are common and may also need to be considered,

    • to ensure those assessed meet the formal criteria for ADHD,

  • Understand the complexities of stimulant medications, including how they interact with different bodies and other medications or substances.

NOTE: If you don’t meet the medical criteria for ADHD, this doesn’t invalidate your experience of symptoms. You can still get support to manage symptoms without medication.

Should I cancel my specialist appointment?

No, we don’t recommend this.

  • There is still a lot of uncertainty, and no guarantee you will get a quicker or cheaper assessment after the new rules come in.

  • Keep your place on the waiting list until you can get confirmation of a GP/NP assessment.

Should I get in touch with my health clinic about this?

Yes.

  • It’s a great idea to start the conversation with your GP or NP about their expertise and their plans when the rule changes go into effect.

  • Expect that some GPs and NPs may not be interested in the additional training if it is not their area of expertise.

  • Be wary of GPs and NPs who are happy to prescribe medication without providing additional support. Medication is only a small part of ADHD treatment.

That’s a long time away, and sounds a bit uncertain… what can I do now?

Our team at Beehyve understands that this uncertainty can be frustrating, and we’re here to support you as the landscape evolves.

You don’t need to wait for medication to improve your experience of ADHD traits and symptoms. There are things that can be done to support you to get out of life what you want.

 

By the way…

Beehyve is very proud that these changes were spearheaded by one of our founders, Darrin Bull when he was the Chair of ADHD NZ.

 
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Navigating the shortage of ADHD medication