From February 2026, GPs and nurse practitioners (NPs) will be able to assess and diagnose ADHD, and will be able to start stimulant medication for those aged 18 and over without input from a psychiatrist.

 

Medical practices can choose how much, if any, of this work with ADHD adults they wish to do. Some will choose to assess, diagnose and manage meds. Others will choose not to assess, but to take assessments by a psychiatrist or psychologist and start meds on their own. And some will neither assess nor start medications on their own (meaning a psychiatrist will need to be involved for medication management).

 

I have started a list below of medical practices in Christchurch and their ADHD policies as I become aware of them. If someone reading has more information about what a medical practice is doing about ADHD assessment and medication, please email me.

 

• Ara Health Centre - YES, they will accept a psychologist assessment report and consider starting medication (another psychologist reported they were told this information on enquiry)
   

• Hanmer Springs Health Centre - YES, they provide in-house ADHD assessments and can accept a psychologist assessment report to consider starting medication.
   

• Kendal Medical Centre - YES, they provide in-house ADHD assessments. They will consider medication "if you have been diagnosed at another clinic (with) full documentation to our satisfaction". You should check whether this includes a psychologist assessment.
   

• Normans Road Surgery - NO, they will not perform assessments or accept a psychologist assessment report. They will continue medication prescribed by a specialist.
   

• Papanui Medical Centre - NO, they will not accept a psychologist assessment report. They will not start medication without a prescribing Dr providing a medication plan.
   

• Selwyn Village Healthcare - NO, they will not perform assessments. They mention seeing an ADHD expert GP or psychiatrist for assessments, which I believe means they will not consider a psychologist assessment report. 
   

• Southside Health, Rangiora - NO, they will not perform assessments or accept a psychologist assessment report. They will continue medication prescribed by a specialist.
   

• St Martins Medical - YES, they can accept a psychologist assessment report and consider starting medication.
   

• UC Health Centre - YES, they will accept a psychologist assessment report and consider starting medication (I read an email stating this)

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