ADHD medications (particularly stimulant medications) can increase heart rate and blood pressure. An ECG and cardiovascular check with a nurse help make sure it’s safe for you to start treatment.

The nurse visit allows us to:

• Check your blood pressure and pulse
• Review your personal and family history of heart conditions
• Perform an ECG to screen for any underlying heart rhythm issues

Some heart conditions don’t cause symptoms and may not have been diagnosed previously. Identifying these early helps reduce the risk of rare but serious cardiac side effects once medication is started.

This check is a standard safety step and helps your prescriber choose the safest and most appropriate treatment for you.

If anything unexpected is found, it doesn’t automatically mean you can’t take ADHD medication—it simply means we may need further review or an alternative treatment plan.

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Although you are not present for this appointment, the clinician spends dedicated time carefully reviewing your ADHD assessment report in full.

This review includes:

• Reading and interpreting a detailed diagnostic report
• Confirming that the assessment meets clinical and prescribing requirements
• Reviewing symptoms, severity, and functional impact
• Checking for additional conditions or risk factors that may affect treatment choices
• Assessing medication recommendations and safety considerations
• Documenting clinical decisions and treatment plans in your medical record

This structured review ensures that any prescribing decisions are based on a thorough understanding of your assessment and are safe, appropriate, and compliant with clinical and medico‑legal standards. Taking this time helps support high‑quality care before any treatment is initiated or adjusted.

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Being enrolled with a general practice means many services are funded through capitation, where the practice receives ongoing funding to provide routine primary care. However, not all services fall under this funding model.

Some appointments involved in the ADHD pathway are non‑capitated services under national primary care and funding guidelines. This means they are not fully funded by enrolment funding and require additional time, expertise, and clinical responsibility beyond standard GP consultations.

These appointments may include:

• Detailed clinical reviews or report assessments
• Care that falls outside the scope of routine primary care services

Because these services are not covered by capitation, clinics are required to charge patient co‑payments that reflect the time, complexity, and professional expertise involved.

This approach is consistent with national funding guidelines and helps ensure that the care provided is safe, thorough, and sustainable.

If you have questions about specific fees, the our team can explain which appointments are capitated and which are not.

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No. A prescription is not guaranteed.

Even if an ADHD diagnosis has been made, medication can only be prescribed if it is clinically appropriate and safe for you. The prescriber must consider several factors before deciding whether to start medication.

These include:

• Confirmation that the diagnosis and report meet prescribing requirements
• Review of your physical health checks (such as blood pressure, heart rate, and ECG where required)
• Assessment of any medical conditions, mental health concerns, or medications that could affect safety
• Consideration of potential risks, benefits, and alternative treatment options

If medication is not considered suitable, this does not mean your concerns are dismissed. The clinician may recommend:

• A different type of ADHD medication
• Further assessment or information
• Non‑medication strategies or supports
• Referral for additional specialist input, if needed

The goal of this process is to ensure that any treatment offered is safe, appropriate, and in your best interests.

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Validating the reports we receive from patients is an essential step in ensuring the information we are reviewing is accurate and authentic. It takes time for our admin team to complete this process. We have kept the cost minimal and the reality is likely that we will need to go back and forth with clinics as well as our ADHD special interest doctors with regards to the report.

Starting ADHD medication requires a structured process to ensure it is safe, clinically appropriate, and compliant with national prescribing guidelines. This includes reviewing diagnostic reports, completing physical health checks, and assessing individual risks and benefits.

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If anything unexpected is identified, the clinician will review the findings and discuss next steps. This may involve further tests, specialist advice, or considering alternative treatment options. It does not automatically mean medication cannot be prescribed.

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Medication is optional. If medication is not suitable or not something you wish to pursue, the clinician may discuss non‑medication strategies, supports, or recommend other appropriate services.

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