GPs Prescribing ADHD Meds from 2026: What I Think (and What I Hope We Get Right)
As someone who works with ADHD and AuDHD clients every day, I’ve been watching the recent news closely, and I’ve got thoughts.
From February 1, 2026, GPs and nurse practitioners in Aotearoa will be able to diagnose and start treatment for ADHD, without needing a specialist’s sign-off first. That’s huge news, and overall, I think it’s a fantastic and much-needed step forward.
🔗 Read the full article on Newstalk ZB
Why I Support This Change
Access has been awful. Waiting 6–12 months for a specialist appointment just isn’t working for people — especially adults. Many of my clients have had to shell out thousands just to get assessed privately.
Neurodivergent adults and kids are falling through the cracks, especially women, Māori and Pasifika, and people who mask or don’t present in textbook ways.
This change means people can be seen sooner, closer to home, and start getting the help they need. That’s a big win.
What I’m Still Concerned About
While I’m really glad this is happening, I also know the reality on the ground. ADHD isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition, and meds aren’t a quick fix. Here’s what I hope we don’t lose sight of:
A Proper Assessment Isn’t a 10-Minute Chat
ADHD is nuanced. It often shows up differently in adults than in kids, in women than in men, and especially when autism, trauma, anxiety, or other conditions are also in the mix.
If GPs are going to diagnose and treat ADHD well, they need the time and tools to actually get to know the person in front of them, not just run through a checklist and write a script.
Training and Clinical Support Matter
I fully back GPs and nurse practitioners being part of the ADHD care team — if they’re properly trained.
It’s good to hear that a clinical framework is being developed alongside this rollout, and that there's time to get it right before February 2026. But I’d love to see:
A specialised ADHD education pathway for GPs
Access to experienced mentors or peer support
Some way for people to find prescribers who’ve done the mahi — like a public register of trained providers
Meds Are Just One Piece of the Puzzle
I’ve seen ADHD meds change lives — but they’re not the whole solution. People also need:
Ongoing check-ins to adjust meds as needed
Help understanding how their brain works
Support to build executive functioning skills
Real conversations about lifestyle, sensory needs, hormones, etc.
We can’t just hand people a prescription and send them on their way.
Supply Issues Are Still a Thing
It’s smart they’re waiting until 2026 to roll this out, especially with ADHD med shortages still happening. We’ve had clients having to halve their doses or go without meds entirely. Let’s make sure supply chains are steady before we increase demand.
Final Thoughts
I’m hopeful. I’m excited. I’m also realistic.
Letting GPs and nurse practitioners diagnose and prescribe ADHD meds could change lives — but only if we do it properly. That means listening to clients, understanding the whole picture, and treating people like experts in their own experience.
As someone who works with neurodivergent clients every day, I’ll keep pushing for a system that offers not just faster access, but better care — the kind that sees the full human, not just the symptoms.