How does ADHD co-management and shared care work in NSW?
Since the 2025 NSW reforms, your ADHD care does not have to stay with one psychiatrist. A specialist, a trained GP and your usual GP can share it, each doing their own part. Here is how it works, and where our GPs fit in.
Co-management means a psychiatrist or paediatrician stays in charge of the overall plan, while a trained NSW continuation prescriber GP does the routine treatment and check-ups. Transfer of care means the specialist hands your ongoing treatment fully to the GP. If you cannot get to West Pennant Hills in person, one of our Specialist GPs can manage your ADHD treatment while your usual GP does the in-person checks. Your usual GP does not need ADHD approval for that.
Three ways ADHD care can be shared
All three are recognised under NSW rules. The right one depends on who diagnosed you, how stable your treatment is, and how far you live from us.
Co-management with your psychiatrist
Your psychiatrist or paediatrician stays in charge of your diagnosis and treatment plan. They see you as often as they choose, often once a year. In between, one of our continuation prescriber GPs looks after your treatment, checks your blood pressure, heart rate and weight, and helps with day-to-day issues.
Fits when: you are stable on your medicine and want fewer specialist visits, but your specialist wants to stay involved.
Transfer of care to a GP
Your specialist confirms your diagnosis, your medicine and that you are stable. They then hand your ongoing treatment to one of our continuation prescriber GPs. You only go back to a specialist if something changes, like a big dose change or a new concern.
Fits when: your treatment has been stable for at least three months and your specialist is happy to step back.
Rosedale treats, your usual GP checks in person
This is for patients who cannot come to West Pennant Hills in person. One of our Specialist GPs manages your ADHD treatment and sees you by video visit. Your usual GP or psychiatrist does the in-person checks and looks after your general health. Your usual GP does not need continuation approval.Fits when: you live outside the Hills District, in regional NSW, or cannot travel for in-person check-ups.
Who does what
Shared care works when everyone knows their part. This is how our team sets it up.| Task | Co-management | Transfer of care | Rosedale treats, usual GP checks in person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnosis and treatment plan | Psychiatrist or paediatrician | Psychiatrist or paediatrician (confirmed in writing) | Existing specialist report |
| Ongoing ADHD treatment | Rosedale continuation prescriber GP | Rosedale continuation prescriber GP | Rosedale Specialist GP by video |
| Blood pressure, heart rate, weight | Rosedale GP at each review | Rosedale GP at each review | Your usual GP or psychiatrist, in person |
| Routine check-ups | Rosedale GP, commonly every 3 to 6 months | Rosedale GP, commonly every 3 to 6 months | Rosedale GP by video, commonly every 3 to 6 months |
| Specialist review | At the interval the specialist sets | Only if needed | Only if needed |
| General health and other prescriptions | Your usual GP | Your usual GP | Your usual GP |
What you need before shared care can start
Our GPs need enough records to treat you safely and within NSW rules. Please send them at least 48 hours before your first visit.
- A formal ADHD diagnosis from a psychiatrist, paediatrician or other recognised doctor
- A specialist letter from the last 12 months confirming your diagnosis, medicine, dose and that you are stable
- Proof your dose has not changed for at least three months
- Your current medicine list and recent script records
- For co-management, a note from your specialist that they are happy to share care
- For Model 3, the name and contact details of the GP or psychiatrist who will do your in-person checks
A script is never guaranteed, including at your first visit. We may need more records or NSW Health approval first. If you have stopped your medicine, or were diagnosed but never started it, shared care is not the right place to start. See our restart and initiation pathways.
Telehealth and what it costs
Models 1 and 2 usually happen in person at West Pennant Hills. Once care is set up, eligible adults can use video visits. Model 3 is by video from the start, because your usual GP or psychiatrist does the in-person part.
Ongoing care is usually by telehealth across NSW.
The first 30-minute continuation visit is $287.45, including the $2.45 HotDoc platform fee. Routine 15-minute check-ups are $187.45. Prices include HotDoc's $2.45 booking fee. Current fees are always on the continuation care page.
How to start
Pick the option that matches how you will attend. You do not need a referral, but we do need your specialist records.
I can attend West Pennant Hills in person
Book an in-person continuation visit with one of our Specialist GPs. This suits co-management and transfer of care. Bring photo ID and your specialist letters.
Book in person →I cannot attend in person
Book a video visit. Our GPs manage your ADHD treatment, and your usual GP or psychiatrist does the in-person checks. Video visits are private for new patients.
Book telehealth →Questions patients ask about shared care
What is ADHD co-management?
ADHD co-management means two doctors share your ADHD care under an agreed plan. In NSW, a psychiatrist or paediatrician usually stays in charge of the diagnosis and treatment plan. A trained GP does the routine treatment and check-ups between specialist visits.
What is the difference between co-management and transfer of care?
With co-management, your specialist stays involved and sees you from time to time. With transfer of care, your specialist hands your ongoing treatment fully to a NSW continuation prescriber GP, and you only go back if something changes. Both are recognised under the NSW GP reforms.
Does my usual GP need special ADHD training for shared care with Rosedale?
No. If one of our Specialist GPs manages your ADHD treatment, your usual GP does not need continuation approval. They do in-person checks like blood pressure, heart rate and weight, and look after your general health. Our GPs look after your ADHD treatment.
Can shared care be done by telehealth?
Yes, the Rosedale part can be done by telehealth. Your usual GP or psychiatrist does the in-person checks locally, and our GPs see you and manage your treatment by video.
Do I still need to see my psychiatrist?
With co-management, yes, as often as your psychiatrist decides, often every 12 months. With transfer of care, only if your GP thinks you need specialist input, such as for a big dose change, a new diagnosis or a safety concern.
Keep your specialist. Travel less for your ADHD care.
Rosedale Medical Practice has cared for West Pennant Hills since 1997. Our Specialist GPs are trained NSW continuation prescribers, and Dr Jaspreet Saini is a NSW Health-endorsed ADHD prescriber. Send your records, choose how you will attend, and our team will set up the plan with your specialist or usual GP.