From February 2026, New Zealand GPs will be able to diagnose ADHD and initiate ADHD medications. We know many patients and whānau are waiting for clearer pathways and shorter delays, and we want to update you on how this will work at St Martin’s Medical.
ADHD Assessments – Not Currently Offered at St Martin’s Medical
A full ADHD assessment requires substantial specialist training, and takes several hours of structured interviews, collateral gathering, developmental history, and psychometric tools.
At this stage:
- No GPs at St Martins Medical will be offering ADHD assessments.
- This may change in the future. Some GPs are considering completing the extensive training required to offer assessments, but this will not happen immediately.
- Assessments will continue to be completed by:
- Psychologists
- Psychiatrists
- GPs in other practices who have undergone the specialised ADHD assessment training
- The cost of a GP assessment will likely be similar to that charged by psychologists and psychiatrists as it is not covered by government funding.
Initiating ADHD Medication at St Martins Medical
All GPs at St Martins Medical are preparing to upskill so they can safely initiate ADHD medication from February.
Before we can initiate ADHD medication, all patients will need to provide a comprehensive assessment report completed by a psychologist, psychiatrist, or a GP with formal training in ADHD assessment.
These reports are detailed and can be lengthy. To ensure safe, evidence-based care, your GP must read and interpret the report carefully before medication can begin.
You will also need a urine test and an ECG prior to initiating any medications.
Process and Cost for ADHD medication initiation:
Step 1: Specialist report review
Your GP reviews your diagnostic report to understand your diagnosis and treatment recommendations. GP Time 30 mins
Cost: $195
Step 2: Health checks
A nurse or health care assistant appointment to check blood pressure, weight, and arrange urine tests and an ECG.
Cost: $60
Step 3: GP appointment to start medication
A 15–30 minute GP appointment to discuss treatment options and, if appropriate, start medication. Time depends on complexity
Cost:
- $64 (15mins) / $128 (30mins)
- Community Services Card: $20 (15 min) / $87.50 (30 min)
Step 4: Follow-up care
Regular ongoing GP appointments to check how the medication is working and make any adjustments.
Cost: Usual GP fees apply
Cost support:
Funding may be available in some cases to help with costs if this is a barrier to accessing care. Please discuss this with your GP.Top of FormBottom of Form
Why can’t this be done in a usual 15-minute appointment?
We understand this may feel unexpected or frustrating. Many people assume an ADHD medication appointment can fit into a routine 15-minute visit, but safe prescribing requires more time. As GPs we must ensure that:
- prescribing meets all legal, clinical, and safety requirements
- cardiovascular and mental health history is reviewed carefully
- medication options, risks, benefits, and monitoring plans are fully discussed
- shared decision-making occurs without rushing
- follow-up and safety monitoring are clearly arranged
This process simply cannot be completed safely within a short 15 minute appointment.
Why is there a cost for initiating ADHD medication?
At present, the government has not allocated any funding for this new ADHD service in general practice. This means that GP teams are expected to provide ADHD medication initiation without any additional government support.
In a standard GP visit, part of the appointment cost is subsidised by the government, and you pay the remainder. Because ADHD initiation is not funded, these appointments are not subsidised and patients are required to cover the full cost.
We continue to advocate for government funding to support ADHD care in general practice so that this service can be made more affordable in the future.
Why are we not offering ADHD assessments at present ?
We understand that many people are experiencing long waits and high costs for ADHD assessment.
Our decision is not due to lack of interest — it is because:
- ADHD assessment requires substantial, specialised training, and currently there is no funded time or support for GPs to complete this.
- GPs can undergo training in their own time and at their own cost. We are doing this already to upskill to initiate medications, but have no capacity for upskilling to do assessments at present.
- Providing a full ADHD assessment service within general practice would significantly reduce the number of routine GP appointments we could provide, affecting access to usual care for our wider patient community.
- We will continue to review this as training pathways and funding options develop.
Our Commitment
Even though we are not offering assessments right now, we are committed to:
- Supporting patients who have already undergone assessment
- Providing safe, evidence-based ADHD medication initiation
- Being open, honest, and transparent about costs
- Avoiding rushed or unsafe prescribing
- Continuing to advocate for government funding and clearer pathways for ADHD care in primary care
We understand that ADHD assessment and treatment can be an emotional and sometimes frustrating journey. We hope that by explaining our process clearly, we can reduce surprises, help set expectations, and support you through the next steps.
If you have questions about what this means for you or your whānau, please contact our reception team or your usual GP.