Strengthening ADHD care on the North Coast: Become an endorsed prescriber

The continued success of ADHD co-management across Northern NSW and the Mid North Coast demonstrates that appropriately supported GPs can safely and effectively deliver high-quality ADHD care.

The model is improving access, reducing specialist wait times, and delivering continuity of care for both children and adults.

As part of the NSW ADHD reforms, the GP endorsed prescriber pathway has now been established.

GPs who complete the endorsed prescriber training program are eligible to apply to the NSW Ministry of Health Pharmaceutical Services Unit (PSU) for an endorsed prescriber Authority.

This authority allows GPs to:

• Initiate, switch, and continue prescribing psychostimulant medications (dexamfetamine, lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate) for patients 6 years and above in newly diagnosed patients
• Practise independently while retaining access to specialist support

Training to accurately diagnose, manage and initiate treatment of ADHD in children and adults includes both required and optional components:

Required components:

• Educational program delivered either as:
  • Live, facilitated sessions, or
  • Self-paced online modules
  • Participation in a facilitated Community of Practice (CoP) via videoconference

Optional components:

• Additional education opportunities
• Attendance at NSW Health paediatric clinics

Training will commence around March 2026 and is expected to take 3–6 months. GPs may continue participating in CoPs after completion. Importantly, once key components are completed, GPs can begin prescribing while still in training.

Endorsed prescribers will have access to telehealth-based paediatric and psychiatry support, and real-time advice and escalation pathways for complex cases.

Training costs are fully covered by NSW Health. A remuneration package is available to GPs who complete training. Successful applicants will receive full details directly.

• Only GPs practising in NSW are eligible
• Completion of continuation prescriber training is recommended but not mandatory
• EOIs close end of January 2026, so prioritisation process can begin
• Successful applicants will be contacted in February 2026
• Training commences March 2026

GPs interested in becoming endorsed prescribers are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest. There are some frequently asked questions on NSW Health’s website.

Please note: GPs who currently participate in ADHD co-management arrangements do not need to undertake any additional training. This is the standard model of care for stable NNSW paediatric patients with ADHD.

To prescribe psychostimulants under a co-management model, GPs simply need to:

• Be asked to work in co-management arrangement with a specialist (paediatrician, psychiatrist, or neurologist)
• Apply for individual patient approval via SafeScript (or check SafeScript to see if another GP at your practice has applied and use this approval for the patient)
• Obtain PBS authority approval for each patient

This pathway has already proven effective across Northern NSW and Mid North Coast.

GPs who are continuation prescribers can continue prescribing ADHD medications for both children and adults, do not require a co-management arrangement, and do not need individual patient approval.

To become a continuation prescriber, GPs must:

• Complete one of 3 approved courses
• Submit a one-page application form
• Receive a Continuation Prescriber Number

This GACP number, together with PBS authority approval, must be included on each prescription.

For further information, please contact ADHD Co-Management Coordinator
Bel Davis on 0427940980 or belinda.davis2@health.nsw.gov.au.